Sexual assault is never justified, and it is never your fault.
We are here to help you.
On this page you will find information on:
The different types of support we offer
What to expect when you visit us
Police involvement
For most people, whether you wish to report the assault to the police is entirely your decision. We will never pressure you to do so.
However, we may encourage you to still complete an examination so evidence is available should you choose to report later.
The different types of support we offer
The support we can offer you depends on how long ago the assault happened. However, just because you are offered or eligible for a service does not mean you need to accept it, and our staff will support you whatever you decide.
We will always fully explain everything to you beforehand and you can ask any questions you may have.
If it happened within the last 7 days
This means the assault happened recently enough for us offer you a Forensic Medical Examination (FME). This collects evidence for reporting the assault to the police.
You can complete an FME without having made a police report yet as the data is stored for 26 months. This means it can be used as evidence should you wish to report at a later date. This is why it is sometimes best to complete an FME even if you are unsure of whether you will report to the police or not.
If possible, try not to change clothes or wash/shower after the assault before your FME. This helps us most accurately collect evidence. But do not worry if you have already done so.
More information about Forensic Medical Examinations (FME)
If your assault happened in the last 7 days, you will usually be offered a Forensic Medical Examination (FME). This gathers evidence now, whether you’ve spoken to the police or want time to decide.
Who carries it out?
A specially trained doctor or nurse called a Sexual Offences Examiner (SOE).
What happens?
- DNA samples may be taken using cotton swabs
- This can include an intimate (genital) examination
- Your visit lasts around 2–3 hours
- You are in control at every stage and can stop at any time
Our staff will support you throughout.
What should I bring?
Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to bring:
- Sanitary products you were using
- Your toothbrush (in some cases)
- Clothing worn during the incident
- Any used condom or condom wrapper
What happens to samples?
For self‑referral, samples are stored safely at Archway Glasgow for 26 months, giving you time to decide about reporting
If you are with the police, they take the samples after the exam
What if I change my mind or want more time?
You can halt proceedings at any time if you are uncomfortable or would like more time to think.
If it happened within the last 30 days
While we can only carry out a Forensic Medical Examination (FME) if the assault happened within the last 7 days, we offer the below support to anyone who has experienced rape or assault within the last 30 days.
Support and counselling
Our support workers provide support for anyone affected by rape or sexual assault that have come to our service.
Our staff offer face-to-face support as well as telephone support for those who are struggling to leave their home. This support will help you work through the trauma of what has happened to you. This does not involve going over the incident, but instead works through your concerns and deals with how you feel after the assault.
If you have reported to the police, a support worker will also support you through the process if your case goes to court.
Testing for STIs
We will offer you a sexual health screen to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that may have been caused by the assault. You may also be offered Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce the risk of HIV infection.
As some STIs take time to show on tests, it may be too early for us to test you for STIs. If this is the case, we will arrange for you to go to Sandyford, your GP or a local Sexual Health Clinic in your area (whichever you prefer) at an appropriate time to get your tests.
Emergency contraception and pregnancy testing
We can provide emergency contraception and test for pregnancy as required. If you receive a positive pregnancy test result we can support you to access other services as required.
Please remember that while a Forensic Medical Examination (FME) can only be carried out within 7 days of an assault, there is no time limit on when you can seek support or report what happened.
If it happened over 30 days ago
Our own counselling support is only available within the last 30 days of the assault. However, if you are outside this timeframe, we can help you access other services, including counselling, sexual health services, and other forms of support.
Important: Even if you are not eligible for all parts of our service, there is no time limit on when you can seek support or report what happened. We encourage you to contact us no matter when the assault occurred so we can support you to get the best care.
Making an appointment
There are different ways to arrange care from our service:
What happens when you call us
When you call us you will speak to one of our specially trained members of staff who will firstly make sure that you are safe.
We will then ask you a little bit of information about yourself and the assault so we can arrange the best support for your circumstances.
- We will discuss your safety and time of the assault.
- We will explain your options, which will include asking if you wish to report to the police or self-refer without police involvement (you can always involve police at a later date).
- If you decide you would like police involvement right away, we will offer to contact them for you, if you would prefer not to do this yourself.
- If the assault happened within the last 7 days, we will ask you if you consent to us asking questions about your health, before explaining the forensic examination (what samples we take, etc) and will ask if you would like to arrange one. If you accept this, we may ask you to avoid washing if possible. More information on forensic examinations can be found here.
- Further support and health options we can provide will also be discussed.
What to expect when you visit us
Bringing someone with you
You can bring someone with you if you prefer when you attend your appointment, but we will ask them to wait in the waiting area during any forensic examinations. We will discuss everything with you beforehand so you both know what to expect on the day.
Getting here
You can find directions to the service here.
What to expect when you visit
The video below shows you around our service and gives you an idea of what to expect when you attend for your appointment.
Who you’ll meet
We are a team of trained female staff who are experienced in providing care and support. If you would prefer to speak to or be examined by a male practitioner, please let us know when you contact us. We will do our best to support this, although it may take longer or require arrangements with another service.
Leaving the clinic
After you have finished with us, we will ensure that you get to where you are going safely. If you are with the police, they will also ensure you get home or to a safe place.
How long we keep your information
We keep your information in line with NHS standards and only for as long as necessary to support your care.
Find out more on our Privacy Policy page.
What our patients say
All of our patients are given the chance to share their thoughts on their care with us. You can read some of their feedback below:
Additional support
When you call us or attend an appointment at Archway Glasgow, we will help you access any additional support available. You can also find a list of these here.