You can report an assault on behalf of someone you know. Dial 999 if the incident has just taken place, the person has suffered serious injuries or if the person is in immediate danger. Alternatively, please call 101 for a non-emergency or The Havens, a rape and sexual assault crisis centre on 020 3299 6900.
The overall definition of sexual or indecent assault is an act of physical, psychological and emotional violation in the form of a sexual act, inflicted on someone without their consent. It can also involve forcing or manipulating someone to witness or participate in any sexual acts.
Sometimes it can be hard to make sense of the situation; as such the definitions below may help.
Rape:
Rape is when a person intentionally penetrates another’s vagina, anus or mouth with a penis, without the other person’s consent. The consent element is important, it does not matter if the person is a stranger, relative, partner, husband, wife and so on.
Assault by penetration:
This is when a person penetrates another person’s vagina or anus with any part of the body other than a penis, or by using an object, without the person’s consent. The sentences for this offence as the same as those for rape.
Sexual assault:
Sexual assault can involve forcing someone to witness or participate in sexual activity. Sexual assault can be purely psychological and doesn’t have to involve other physical violence or physical harm.
What is consent?
Put simply is when both people agree to what’s happening by choice and have the freedom and ability to make that choice.
For more information visit:
Metropolitan police advice – www.met.police.uk
For consent explanations – www.consentiseverything.com
The Havens website for advice on what you can do to help – www.thehavens.org.uk