Rape & Sexual Assault

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Norfolk Constabulary has specialist officers working 24/7 to deal with rape and serious sexual offences. If you need to speak to one of them, dial 101. In an emergency always dial 999.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to report it to the police, you can report to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, The Harbour Centre. They can offer you medical support and collect evidence that can be used later.

The Harbour Centre - Provides a range of services for people who are victim of rape, attempted rape or assault by penetration.

Tel: 01603 276 381

Email: [email protected]

Rape Crisis - How to get help if you’ve experienced rape or any kind of sexual violence.

For general enquiries email: [email protected]

Sue Lambert Trust - This Norfolk Charity provides support for survivors of sexual abuse.

Tel: 01603 622406       

Email: [email protected]

Disrespect Nobody - Home Office Advice pages for young people and healthy relationships. 

Fresh Start- Service for Norfolk and Suffolk to provide a therapeutic service for children and young people up to 18 years who have reported being sexually abused and to offer support for their families.

Galop – A national charity supporting LGBT+ people who are victims of different forms of abuse

About Southall Black Sisters | Southall Black Sisters – Offer services specifically for black and ethnic minority women who are victims of violence

Hourglass – Help for those who are victims of elder abuse

"You must never give up, you have nothing to lose but you have so much to gain."
Celia, rape victim

Celia (name has been changed) was raped and sexually assaulted by a person known to her for more than 15 years. Because there was no forensic evidence Celia always knew it would be very much her word against his but after years of torment she finally found the strength to speak out.

The 56-year-old was attending a support meeting for victims of sexual violence when she saw Diana Baxter, who previously managed the Harbour Centre.

As Celia was a victim of historical rape, with her agreement, a meeting was arranged with the police during which time she was given an ‘off the record’ steer as to whether she should take the matter further.

“They made me feel so at ease,” she said, “They made me feel so comfortable. The officer I spoke to said it was worth it and I said ‘go for it’. My heart was thumping and I just told the policewoman how it was and I was later video interviewed.

“I can remember saying to the officer ‘I bet you are expecting me to cry’ but I said ‘I can’t, I have cried so many times over the years I haven’t got any tears left. She said to me ‘I promise I will do my best’ and that is all I could have asked for.”

Diana, said: “I was so pleased when I took Celia’s call. I was thrilled that we were able to help her with her decision to go to court. We never underestimate how difficult it is for people to come into us.”

Despite the reassurance Celia was given by police officers she never really allowed herself to believe she would get justice for her ordeal.

Speaking of the first day she was raped, Celia said: “That was the first day of the next 15 years. He kept saying he wasn’t doing anything wrong, the more I resisted the more forceful he got.

“It got to once a week, then twice a week, then three times a week. I was never safe. He would stalk me around the streets, I would come out of a shop and he would be standing there. He was always there. I was scared to go out and I was scared to stay in. I didn’t think he would ever stop.

“I needed to speak out because I wanted to protect other females. He had to be stopped, he’s dangerous. I also did it for me.”

The offender appeared in court in April this year (2012) and was sentenced to six years in prison – after having previously pleaded guilty.

“The police officer called me at home and told me he had pleaded guilty,” she added.

“I couldn’t believe it, I was jumping up and down the room, I thought ‘I’ve got you’ and I burst into tears. I didn’t even think it would get to court. All of his life he has been able to turn things around to make other people feel the guilty one. I thought he would talk his way out of it because they didn’t have a lot of evidence.

“I went to the sentencing and I was shaking but afterwards I was high as a kite and I stayed that way for about two weeks, but then I was back down on the ground, it was as if I had been hit by a truck. I have lost all my confidence. I used to walk down the road with my head held high but most of the time it is now down, but the support I have been given has been amazing. I have never felt alone.”

And Celia’s message to other victims…

“You must never give up, you have nothing to lose but you have so much to gain. Even if there is no forensic proof – there is still a chance. Just ring the Harbour Centre and go and speak to someone there. They are caring and compassionate people and they will listen.”

If you are a victim of rape and sexual assault, help is available from our specialist trained police officers to the Harbour Centre - a dedicated Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

Detectives are warning teenagers of the dangers of social media after a 13-year-old girl ended up out of her depth in a sexual relationship with an older teenager.

The victim – known as Louise to protect her identity – added the 18-year-old to her Facebook account and soon began to chat regularly. The conversations were of a sexual nature and the offender, who had disclosed his age to the victim, asked to meet with her despite knowing she was in her early teens. The flirting and talking about meeting continued and the two eventually swapped Blackberry Messenger PINS and moved off Facebook.

Commenting on the investigation, Detective Constable David Sorrell said: “He knew the victim was very young however was still intent on meeting with her and entering into a sexual relationship.

“The victim was attracted by his flattery and ended up clearly out of her depth and in a situation she felt unable to control. The victim visited the male at his address where they took part in sexual acts. The victim disclosed this to friends - the incidents were later reported to the police. The male was charged with two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl and was eventually brought before the courts where he pleaded guilty and sentenced to 20 months in a young offender institution."

Det Con David Sorrell, added: "The victim was extremely vulnerable due to her age and is gradually coming to terms with what happened to her. “It is essential teenagers are aware of the dangers social media can pose. They need to be mindful of who they befriend and who they disclose their details to. Parents also need to be inquisitive and not feel awkward about questioning their children about who they are chatting to and meeting with.”

Parents can visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre's (CEOP) 'Thinkuknow' website. 

Grooming is a process of manipulating a child to gain control over them; as a parent or carer you should be approachable so that if your child is concerned about something, they know they can talk to you.

If you are a victim of rape and sexual assault, help is available from our specialist trained police officers to the Harbour Centre - a dedicated Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

‘Drug rape’ is a label given to acts of rape and sexual assaults where the victim has been affected by drugs, usually slipped into alcoholic drinks.

While the drug Rohypnol is often the most well-known, drug-assisted rape can include the use of alcohol, prescription medication and other street drugs, used to stop a victim from being able to defend or protect themselves.

Reports of drug-assisted rape in Norfolk are few but all reports are investigated sympathetically and confidentially.
 

What are the effects?

• Effects vary from person to person depending on a number of different factors, including which drug was used.
   
• Drugs may cause someone to become physically incapable, experience memory loss or stimulate sexual response.
   
• Some people may have suffered physical injury or find themselves in a strange place or situation but are unaware of how it happened.
   
• Even if the victim previously agreed to take the drug, if they aren’t able to consent to sexual activity this is still rape or sexual assault.