The Elms Sexual Assault Referral Centre

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💚💜 Clothes are not consent. 💜💚

What a person wears is not an invitation, not a signal, and never an excuse. The idea that someone is “asking for it” based on their outfit shifts blame away from where it belongs — on the person who chooses to harm.

Consent is clear, voluntary, and spoken — not assumed, not implied, and never decided by appearance.

Let’s challenge harmful narratives. Let’s stand with survivors. Let’s teach respect, accountability, and empathy.

Because no one ever asks to be assaulted. 💜

“She was asking for it.” A sentence we still hear far too often. This sketch from BBC Three Quickies flips that logic on its head. Clothes are not consent and outfits are not invitations. This isn’t about attacking anyone, but rather challenging a mindset that still exists across society. And it’s harmful because it shifts responsibility away from those who commit harm and onto those who experience it. Let’s retire this narrative for good 👏 🎥 @janineharouni @sallyoleary @megsalter @muriel.comedy @andrewnolanokay

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Myths vs Reality.
Understanding the truth about sexual assault.
Sexual assault is often committed by someone the survivor knows, and it doesn’t always look the way people expect. That’s why it’s important to learn the facts and watch for the red flags:
🚩 Pressuring or forcing sexual activity
🚩 Unwanted sexual touching
🚩 Sexual harassment
🚩 Ignoring consent
🚩 Sharing sexual images without permission
These are not misunderstandings — these are warning signs.
By speaking up, learning the truth, and supporting one another, we can create a safer community for everyone.
If you or someone you know needs support, The Elms is here to help.
0330 223 0099

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) are here for you.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you don’t have to go through it alone. A SARC is a safe, confidential place where you can receive free medical care, emotional support, and practical help.

At The Elms, we support survivors in a way that feels right for them. Our trained professionals can offer:

Forensic medical examinations and treatment
Emotional and psychological support
Confidential care with no obligation to report
Support if you do choose to involve the police

Whether the assault happened recently or in the past, help is available. You deserve to be listened to, believed, and supported.

If you need us, The Elms is here 💚

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It was never about what she was wearing… This post is part of our series aimed at educating men, but also wider society. Come and be part of the solution, go to www.Hassl.uk and search “HASSL Men” to learn and contribute your skills.🫶🏼

If a friend told you they'd been r***d or sexual assaulted, would you know where to direct them for support?

Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer specialist care - https://orlo.uk/gWjrD

✓ Medical support including emergency contraception
✓ Emotional care and counselling
✓ You decide if you want to involve the police
✓ Contact 24/7 to make an appointment

Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by someone she knows.

16 days of Elimination of Violence Against Women, we’re reminded that these aren’t statistics on a distant horizon—they’re lives interrupted, futures stolen, and families shaken.

At our Sexual Assault Referral Centre, we meet survivors in the raw aftermath of harm. We see their strength, their fear, their determination to reclaim something that was never meant to be taken. No one should have to walk that road alone.

Violence thrives in silence. Awareness loosens its grip.

If you or someone you know needs support, reach out.

If you feel safe enough to speak, speak.

If you can offer compassion, offer it freely.

Together, we can carve out a world where safety is not a privilege but a given.

November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

This month, we honour and support the men in our community who are navigating mental health challenges — including those who have survived sexual assault.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone.

While many conversations focus on women as victims, it’s important to recognize that men can be survivors too. Male survivors often face unique barriers, such as stigma, shame, or the belief that they shouldn’t speak up. At SARC, we want every survivor to know:

✨ You are believed.

✨ You are supported.

✨ You deserve healing.

If you or someone you know needs support, SARC is here — confidentially and without judgment.

You are not alone.

🌼 Children in Need 2025 🌼

Standing Together for the Safety and Wellbeing of Every Child

Today, on Children in Need Day, we highlight the importance of protecting, supporting, and empowering children who may be experiencing hardship, trauma, or abuse.

At The Elms SARC, our mission is to ensure that every child who needs us receives compassionate, trauma-informed care. We know that many young people face challenges they should never have to experience — and today serves as an important reminder that every child deserves safety, dignity, and hope.

🟣 What we stand for:

• Providing specialist support for children and young people affected by sexual harm

• Creating a safe, non-judgmental environment for disclosure and care

• Offering guidance to families, carers, and professionals

• Raising awareness of the signs of sexual abuse and how to seek help

💛 Children in Need Day reminds us:

No child should ever feel alone.

No child’s voice should go unheard.

Support is available — and healing is possible.

If you’re worried about a child or need advice, our team is here to help.

🌿 Together, we can create a safer world for children.

💜💚Sexual Assault Awareness: You Are Not Alone. 💚💜
Sexual assault effects people of every gender, rank and background. It takes courage to speak up, and every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and supported.
As your SARC team, we`re here 24/7 to provide confidential support, guidance and resources. Whether you want to make a report, ask questions, or simply talk.
Together, we can create a culture of respect, trust, and accountability - where everyone feels safe and supported. 💪💜

During a forensic medical examination, a doctor or nurse will be looking for traces of bodily fluids, skin or hair that might have been left by the attacker.
They will ask you some health questions. They will take swabs from anywhere you have been touched. They might take blood and urine samples, or keep your clothing. They might also take photographs of any injuries.
These can all be used as evidence if you do decide to report a r**e or sexual assault to the police, now or in the future.
The doctor or nurse should explain what they are going to do before and during the examination. They won’t do anything without your consent.
You should also be able to consent to some parts of the examination and not others – or stop altogether if you change your mind.

🎃 Consent isn’t a trick — it’s a treat. 🕸️

This Halloween, let’s remember that costumes, parties, and fun don’t change one simple rule: No means no.

Consent should always be clear, sober, and freely given.