SAFE Centre
Contact number: 01772 523344
The Lancashire SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination) Centre provides forensic medical examinations and advice for all genders and ages who make a complaint of rape or sexual assault. This service is offered to all individuals living in Lancashire.
Contact us:
The SAFE Centre operates a 24hr telephone support line where either a Sexual Offence Examiner or Crisis Worker is available to talk to.
Tel: 01772 523344 Monday- Friday (0800-1600)
Tel: 01772 716565 Outside of the above hours.
Although the service is confidential, if we believe you are in an unsafe or dangerous situation, we cannot keep this information to ourselves and have to pass details to the Police or Social Services.
- About Us
SAFE Centre stands for Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Centre. We are one of the 55 Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in the U.K and cover Lancashire as a Tertiary service. We provide forensic examinations, advice and comprehensive support services for women, men and children of all ages who make a complaint of rape or sexual assault. We provide a safe space and dedicated care for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. This includes the examinations as well as providing clean clothes, underwear, something to eat, a hot shower and toiletries.
We work alongside the police, NHS England and Police and Crime Commissioner.
At SAFE, we take referrals mainly from the police or a self-referral. A self-referral means we can support people who have been victims of a sexual violent crime who do not initially want to pursue a criminal investigation. They can attend the SAFE Centre for a forensic examination and have samples and clothing securely stored at the Centre for 2 years. This allows the person the option of pursuing a criminal investigation at a later date.
We offer advice via telephone, prescribe emergency contraception and carry out testing for sexually transmitted infections for children (any age) in our monthly clinic.
The areas we cover are:
Blackburn
Blackpool
Burnley
Chorley
Darwen
Fylde
Hyndburn
Lancaster
Pendle
Preston
Ribble Valley
Rossendale
South Ribble
West Lancashire
Wyre
What to expect
We understand that you may be feeling scared or uncertain, and we recognise that trusting others can be difficult in such times. At SAFE, our primary goal is to provide you with clear information, options, and control over what happens next. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in the decisions you make. Whatever your choice may be, we are here to offer support and guidance every step of the way. You are not alone in this, and we respect your autonomy in making the decisions that are right for you.
- Police Referral
If you have made a report to the police, a specially trained officer will accompany you to the Centre. At the Centre, a sexual offence examiner and a crisis worker, both of whom have extensive experience supporting individuals who have been raped or sexually assaulted, will meet with you.
When you arrive, the crisis worker will welcome you and take you to an initial room, usually alone, to ensure you have privacy. The crisis worker is there to support you. They will explain what will happen next, answer any questions you have, and make sure you fully understand the process. They will also ask for some basic details about you, including how best to contact you in the future, so we can offer ongoing support. However, you do not have to share any details of the assault with the crisis worker at this stage.
While you're with the crisis worker, the sexual offence examiner will meet with the police officer to review the details of the assault. This helps the doctor determine which samples should be taken during the forensic medical examination and assess any immediate medical needs you may have.
When the examiner has finished speaking with the police officer, they will join you in the pre-examination room where they will ask for your consent before taking a history and examining you and/or taking samples e.g. swabs, mouth samples, urine, blood. They will explain why the questions, examination or samples may be appropriate. The Crisis Worker will stay with you throughout your examination.
The examiner will explain the process to you and ensure you feel comfortable throughout.
Consent is your choice. You can say yes or no. If you need more time or information, please ask.
The examiner can provide prophylactic treatment where necessary for HIV, Hepatitis B and Emergency Contraception.
The examiner will also offer advice and refer you to your local GUM clinic for Sexual Health Screening.
Once the examination is complete, you will have the opportunity to shower and change into fresh clothing. We want to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible during this process. The crisis worker will escort you to the post-examination room, where you can have a drink and a snack while the examiner finalises the necessary records. If any samples were collected during the examination, they will be handed over to the police officer present. Please note that all samples are processed by the police, and the results do not come back to SAFE.
The police officer you attended with will take you home once the examination has finished if required and then transfer any samples to the relevant departments.
- Self Referral
If you are an adult you don’t have to make a report the incident to the police to access the services available at Lancashire SAFE Centre.
You can contact the Centre directly to make an appointment on 01772 523344. We will take some general details from you and pass these on to one of our Sexual Offence Examiners who will contact you back as soon as possible. The examiner will ask questions about the incident to ascertain whether an examination is necessary- Forensic or therapeutic.
We would encourage you to bring a friend or partner to support you when you attend SAFE and take you home, particularly following a forensic medical examination.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by the crisis worker and Sexual Offence Examiner who will introduce themselves. The crisis worker will take you to the Pre-Examination room where they will they explain what will happen next, answer any questions you have, and make sure you fully understand the process. They will also ask for some basic details about you, including how best to contact you in the future, so we can offer ongoing support. However, you do not have to share any details of the assault with the crisis worker at this stage. The examiner will join you and the crisis worker in the pre-examination room where they will ask for your consent before taking a history and examining you and/or taking samples e.g. swabs, mouth samples, urine, blood. They will explain why the questions, examination or samples may be appropriate. The Crisis Worker will stay with you throughout your examination.
The examiner will explain the process to you and ensure you feel comfortable throughout.
Consent is your choice. You can say yes or no. If you need more time or information, please ask.
The examiner can provide prophylactic treatment where necessary for HIV, Hepatitis B and Emergency Contraception.
The examiner will also offer advice and refer you to your local GUM clinic for Sexual Health Screening.
Once the examination is complete, you will have the opportunity to shower and change into fresh clothing. We want to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible during this process. The crisis worker will escort you to the post-examination room, where you can have a drink and a snack while the examiner finalises the necessary records.
Any samples collected during the examination will be stored on site at SAFE for up to two years, so if you want to make a report to the police at a later date you can do so. It gives you the chance to consider your next steps.
There is no pressure for you to make a report to the police. The crisis worker will discuss all available options with you, allowing you to make an informed decision. If you prefer, you may choose to provide information to the police while keeping your identity anonymous.
Rest assured, no information will be shared without your consent, unless there is a safeguarding concern involving a child or vulnerable adult. In such cases, we would inform you prior to sharing any information.
Support and Advice Available at Safe Centre
Some rape/ sexual assault complainants feel that if they avoid talking about the assault, they will be able to forget about what happened to them. Most people who try this approach eventually realise that they need to deal with the assault. Their unresolved feelings and fears hold them back from enjoying their lives and participating fully in relationships.
Talking about the assault can help relieve some of the control it has had over you and help you to begin the process of recovery. We recommend that victims seek professional counselling as soon as possible to begin the healing process.
Therapy provides a safe, private place to deal with your feelings and concerns. It also can be helpful to talk about your reactions with friends and family members who are supportive and understanding.
The SAFE Centre provides advice on the following:
Pregnancy: If this is a concern following rape, the examiner can offer advice or alternatively, provide/ prescribe medication during the examination at SAFE. During the examination, the examiner can also undertake a pregnancy test.
Sexually transmitted infections: Further to an examination the examiner will offer advice and can refer patients to their local GUM clinic or arrange an appointment at our paediatric clinic held once a month, at SAFE.
We can also provide support and assistance:
- We can get you medical help for any injuries by referring onto A&E
- If you have not reported the incident to the police, we can talk through what this would entail and briefly explain the next steps
- Patients may be able to claim for criminal injuries compensation. We can signpost to their Local Victim Support or Citizens Advice Bureau who offer this service
- Any other issues relating to sexual assault and rape
Local Support Agencies:
- The Rape Crisis national freephone helpline - Tel: 0808 500 2222
- Voluntary organisations such as Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership
- The 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge - Tel: 0808 2000 247
- A Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic - Tel: 0300 1234 154.
- Lancashire Victim Services - Tel: 0300 323 0085
- Lancashire Police non-emergency line - Tel: 101
- In an emergency, dial 999
Click the link below to view a short animation explaining the role of Sexual Assault Referral Centres in supporting victims and survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
Self-Care and Support Options
Everyone reacts differently following a traumatic event, you may be confused about what has happened to you, emotional or overwhelmed. You may feel angry, ashamed, alone- these are all normal responses to being sexually assaulted or raped.
Below are some simple self-help techniques that may help.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol later at night, this can help people who may be struggling to sleep.
- Avoid using your phone/tablet/laptop or watching tv for about an hour before bed. The blue light they emit disrupts our bodies natural way of feeling sleepy.
- Practice self-care. Flashbacks and anxiety are powerful experiences which drain your energy. Take time to look after yourself. You could have a warm, relaxing bath, a warm drink, play some soothing music or just take some quiet time for yourself.
- Try to think about different things. This is almost like playing a mentally stimulating game with yourself. Try counting back in 7’s from 100; think about 10 red things/ 10 different animals, say the alphabet slowly or backwards.
- Square breathing. Breathe in for 4 seconds (1, 2, 3, 4) Hold for 4 seconds (1, 2, 3, 4) Breathe out for 4 seconds (1, 2, 3, 4) Hold for 4 seconds (1, 2, 3, 4). Repeat.
- Five Senses Grounding Exercise. LOOK for 5 things you can see. LISTEN to 4 things you can hear. TOUCH 3 things you can touch. SMELL 2 things you can smell. TASTE 1 thing you can taste.
- Relevant Leaflets/Documents/Links
- What to do if you are sexually assaulted/raped
If your health is at risk call the emergency services on 999 and if you are able, try to go to a safe place.
If your health is not at risk and you want to report the crime, notify the police immediately. Reporting the crime can help to ensure your safety and the safety of other potential victims.
Call a friend, a family member, or someone else you trust and ask her or him to stay with you.
Preserve all physical evidence of the assault. Do not shower, bathe, douche, or brush your teeth. Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Place each item of clothing in a separate bag. Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred.
If you contact the police, they will contact us for advice on whether an examination is necessary. The purpose of an examination is primarily to check you are ok and secondly to collect forensic samples. Even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, you should still have a forensic medical examination and discuss with the examiner.
If you suspect that you may have been given a rape drug, inform the police/examiner and they will ask you to provide a sample of urine. Rape drugs, such as Rohypnol and GHB, are more likely to be detected in urine than in blood.
Write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances of the assault, including a description of the assailant.
