Immediate support and safety

What to do if you believe you are in immediate danger, you are concerned about your safety or you have been sexually assaulted in the last 7 days.

Emergency help

If you, or someone else, is in immediate danger or seriously injured, call the Emergency Services on 999.

Making a silent call to 999

If you need emergency help but are unable to talk, remain silent when you call 999. You will hear a recorded message and must press 55 to confirm you need help. Read more about how this service works.

Medical attention

If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself, please either:

If you do not require urgent medical attention

It is recommended that you see your GP for a medical examination and check-up. Even if you do not think your injuries are serious, please note that shock and adrenalin after a traumatic experience can mask the seriousness of physical injuries.

Information that you disclose to a medical professional will be treated in confidence, unless you are considered to be at risk of further serious harm.

If you are not sure whether you require a medical appointment, you can seek medical advice by:

For more specific advice around violence and abuse you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by:

Keeping a record of an incident

If you are assaulted and you want to tell the police, or think you might later decide to tell the police, it would be useful to make a record of events. It is normal to struggle to remember details of an assault, in the order it happened, at a later time.

Please find a brief checklist of what information to record if you are able:

  • what happened, and in what order
  • where the incident took place
  • what the person responsible said to you, and details of their appearance
  • if there was a car involved, as many details as you can remember about it
  • if there was anyone else around who might have seen or heard something

Your safety on campus

If you feel unsafe on campus, call Cardiff University Security on +44(0)29 2087 4444. The Security Control Room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also go to your nearest University building and ask someone to call the Security Control Room for you.

Do not put yourself at risk

If you witness an act of assault or violence, or violent or threatening behaviour, do not intervene if it is not safe to do so.

Other support

Student Support Intervention Team

The Student Support Intervention Team (SSIT) have specialist practitioners that can support you. SSIT are not available 24 hours a day, however we are here to support you. Submit a report via Report & Support or make an enquiry via the Student Connect portal at any time. 

You will receive a response Monday to Friday between 09:00-16:30.

Live Fear Free helpline

The Live Fear Free Helpline, delivered by Welsh Women’s Aid, is a national confidential, free phone support and information service for anyone experiencing sexual violence, domestic abuse or other forms of violence against women, or for anyone wanting more information on available support services. Open 24 hours, 365 days a year.

This information can also be viewed on the Cardiff University Student Intranet

Immediate advice after a sexual assault

If you have experienced a sexual assault, please try to make your way to a place where you feel safe, for example, the home of a close friend or family member, or a hospital.

Once you are safe, we encourage you to follow these steps:

Tell someone what happened

If you are feeling able to, consider telling someone you trust what has happened.

Some options of who you could talk to include:

If you feel at imminent risk of serious harm you should contact the emergency services by calling 999.

Preserve evidence

If you have been raped or assaulted in the last 7 days, you may be able to preserve forensic evidence, even if you do not wish to report what has happened to the police. Evidence is best preserved within 72 hours of the assault occurring. Find further information from Cardiff's Sexual Assault Referral Centre and New Pathways.

Although it can be very difficult, please try to resist the urge to wash yourself or your clothes until you have decided whether to report what happened to the police.

You should also try to avoid:

  • brushing your teeth (keep your toothbrush in a sealed bag if you do)
  • eating or drinking
  • going to the toilet
  • smoking

The police may need to gather evidence such as DNA if you decide to report what has happened. Ideally, medical evidence should be collected within 72 hours (three days) of the attack.

Consider your ongoing safety

It is important to consider things such as:

  • were your keys or ID taken and does the perpetrator know where you live? If so, you may want to get urgent advice about changing your locks.
  • does the person responsible still pose a threat?
  • do they live with you or know where you live? If so, you may want to ask the university about safe accommodation and any financial needs associated with moving. You can contact the University's Student Support Intervention Team for advice and support with this Monday to Friday 09:00-16:30. Outside of these hours contact University Security by calling: +44 (0)29 2087 4444.

If you do not feel in immediate danger and have not experienced an incident of violence and abuse recently, but you are concerned about your safety in the future, it might be helpful to consider:

  • is there anyone you can alert for future support?
  • can you make a list of names/contact information for who you can go to
  • is there another student or a staff member you trust and can talk to?

Your sexual health

If you have been the victim of a sexual offence, we strongly recommend that you seek treatment for sexually transmitted infections and diseases, as well as an emergency contraceptive. The Integrated Sexual Health Clinic at Cardiff Royal Infirmary provide a full sexual health and contraceptive service.

Further support

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

The Cardiff SARC is called Ynys Saff, or Safe Island.  You can contact Ynys Saff on: +44(0)29 2033 5795. It is located within Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Glossop Road, CF24 0SZ.

If you are in Wales, and Cardiff is not your local SARC, you can search for your local SARC, please use search term: ‘sexual health’.

If you are in England, you can search for your local SARC. Please note that SARCs are not yet set up in all areas of Wales and England. You can contact your GP or surgery, or 111 for advice on where else to seek support.

If you live outside of England and Wales, you can contact your local GPs surgery or 111 for advice on where to seek support.

Back

There are two ways you can tell us what happened

Report anonymously or Report with contact details