HealthInfo Canterbury
Sexual assault of adults
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, the first thing to do is go somewhere you feel safe, such as a close friend or family member's home. Also, If you feel able to, tell someone you trust what has happened.
You don't have to decide straight away whether you want to make a formal complaint to the police or not. It's OK to take the time you need to decide this.
Who can help me?
Whether or not you choose to go to the police or tell anyone else, it's best to go to a doctor as soon as possible. If you live in Canterbury or on the West Coast, you can see the doctors and nurses at the Cambridge Clinic – they specialise in looking after people of all ages who have been sexually assaulted. You can see them straight after an assault, or years afterwards if it happened some time ago. Or you can go to your own doctor, or the hospital.
You can phone Sexual Assault Support Service Canterbury for free 24-hour rape and sexual assault support. Phone 0800 Aviva now (0800‑28482‑669).
You can also call the police on (03) 363-7400. It's OK to contact them just to ask for advice and to find out what your options are – you do not have to make a formal complaint. The police can also help you and put you in touch with people who can help.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Cambridge Clinic
The Cambridge Clinic provides medical services for anyone in Canterbury or the West Coast who has been sexually assaulted, whether recently or in the past. Also see the Cambridge Clinic pamphlet
- Rape Prevention Education
Website of Rape Prevention Education (RPE).
On the next page: Referral and support agencies (sexual assault)
Updated April 2016.
See also:
Review key: HISAA-14477
