Sexual Assault

What to do if you have been raped or sexually assaulted.

Steps to take:

1) If you have been raped or sexually assaulted call 999 and get to a safe place.
2) Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault, unwashed and if possible in a paper bag.
3) Do not:

  • Shower, bath or wash
  • Brush your teeth
  • Disturb anything in the area the assault occurred

4) If you are absolutely certain you do not want the police involved and are not in danger contact the Oasis centre or use the university/college routes outlined below

University Sexual Assault Policy 

Here is a brief overview of the University Procedure​ and a short animation which summarises the changes.

General University advice and Guidelines can be found here

Downing Sexual Assault Po​licy

This is Downing college's sexual assault policy

Reporting forms

Cambridge University reporting form

Form to report a member of staff 

Anonymous reporting form (no action can be taken through this form)

It must be noted that you are free to approach the police with any sexual (or indeed non-sexual) misconduct complaint.  However, the university/college can neither investigate within its own disciplinary procedures, nor impose its own sanctions whilst the police investigation is ongoing.

The Oasis centre

The Oasis centre is your closest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and is a good place to go if you have recently been raped or sexually assaulted. It is a free service that offers forensic and medical examinations. The SARC can store the forensic results until you decide whether to report the incident.

The closest SARC in Cambridgeshire is at the Rivergate in Peterborough.
Tel: 0845 089 6262 Open 24/7

Cambridge rape crisis centre

The Cambridge rape crisis centre is open to women three times a week, and can provide support for survivors of rape, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse.

Tel: 01223 245888 (open every Wednesday from 7pm-9.30pm, Saturday from 3pm-5.30pm and Sunday from 10am-12.30pm)

Mankind UK

Mankind UK provides support for men who have been sexually assaulted.

Tel: 01273 911680​

Lesbian and Gay Switchboard

Tel: 0300 330 0630

Or go to Galop, an LGBT+ anti-violence charity.