What is rape?

Rape happens when someone didn’t want to have sex or didn’t give their consent for sex to happen.

Rape is not sex, though you may have heard it called ‘forced sex’ or sex without consent. Rape is sexual violence and it’s a serious crime.

Whatever the circumstances, if this has happened to you, it’s important to remember it’s not your fault. You don’t have to deal with this alone.

What is sexual assault?

If someone intentionally grabs or touches you in a sexual way that you don’t like, or you’re forced to kiss someone or do something else sexual against your will, that’s sexual assault.

This includes sexual touching of any part of someone’s body, and it makes no difference whether you’re wearing clothes or not.

Anyone can be sexually assaulted and anyone can commit sexual assault.

Get help now

If you’re confused about what’s happened to you, that’s OK. The information below may help, or you can contact us if you need to speak to someone.

We’re available every day, night and day. Find out the different ways you can get free and confidential support now.

Was it rape?

If you’re not sure what you’ve experienced, or whether it ‘counts’ as rape, that’s OK. This is common after experiencing rape or sexual violence, and you’re not alone in feeling this way.

You can talk to us any time by calling our Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111 or using our online live chat service.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that someone commits rape if all of the following happens:

  • They intentionally penetrate the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with their penis.
  • The other person does not consent to the penetration.
  • They do not reasonably believe that the other person consents

Giving sexual consent means you agree to be involved in or take part in any kind of sexual activity. And you have the freedom and capacity to make that decision. This means you’re not forced, coerced, tricked or scared into giving consent.

Consent can never be assumed, even in a relationship or marriage. If you haven’t given your consent for sex, it’s rape. If consent has been given to one sexual act, it cannot be assumed that it is given for another.

You may not be able to give your consent if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, didn’t understand what was happening, or you were asleep. If you’re not able to give your consent, it cannot be assumed.

You’re also allowed to change your mind at any point. If at first you wanted to have sex but then decided against it, that’s OK and no one has the right to force you to continue. If they don’t stop, then what they’re doing is rape.

The age of consent in the UK is 16 and a child under the age of 13 cannot legally consent to any sexual activity.

In English and Welsh law, if someone uses something other than their penis to penetrate your body it is called ‘assault by penetration’.

This may be an object or another part of their body. (When a perpetrator uses their fingers to penetrate a victim’s vagina or anus without consent, it is sometimes called digital rape.)

Though legally it has a different name, assault by penetration is as serious an offence as rape. It will be treated similarly to rape if taken to court, and it carries the same maximum sentence (life imprisonment) for perpetrators who are found, or plead, guilty.

If someone lies about putting a condom on or removes a condom during penetrative sex without the person’s knowledge or consent, it is rape. This is sometimes called ‘stealthing’.

‘Stealthing’ is rape under English and Welsh law and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. (There’s no separate legal offence of stealthing – it’s a slang term that means a form of rape.)

The Rape Crisis website says it may be unhelpful or harmful to use the slang word stealthing:

“Using words like ‘stealthing’ instead of the word ‘rape’ can make it seem like some forms of rape are worse than others. Or that they don’t really ‘count’ as rape. However, all rape is a serious crime that can have a long-lasting and serious impact on someone’s life. Rape is never, ever okay – no matter what ‘kind’ of rape it is.” (Rape Crisis, 2025)

If you’ve experienced this crime, you can choose to call it whatever you feel most comfortable with. We can support you.

Here are some other terms you might hear used in relation to rape. If you’ve experienced any of these it’s rape, and we can support you if you need to talk or you need help.

Date rape

‘Date rape’ isn’t a specific offence or different to rape. It just describes the circumstances or the situation in which the rape happened. The victim-survivor and perpetrator may be known to each other. For example, if they were friends or were dating.

A perpetrator may give a person alcohol or drugs without their knowledge, making them vulnerable and unable to consent to sexual activity. This is called spiking.

Marital rape

Sexual consent can never be assumed, even in a marriage.

Being married (or in a civil partnership) does not give your partner any right to force you into any form of sexual activity. If this happens and you do not consent to sex it is rape, and your partner can be prosecuted.

Statutory rape

‘Statutory rape’ is the term that’s sometimes used to describe the rape of children under the age of consent.

In the UK, a child under the age of 13 cannot legally consent to any sexual activity. The age of legal consent in the UK is 16.

Gang rape

If someone is raped by a group of people, this is sometimes referred to as ‘gang rape’.

Oral rape

‘Oral rape’ is a term often used to describe what happens when someone penetrates your mouth with their penis, without your consent or agreement.

Digital rape

People sometimes use the term ‘digital rape’ to describe penetration of the anus or vagina with someone’s finger(s). This can happen to anyone, and could be committed by anyone.

In legal terms, this is classed as ‘assault by penetration’ but it’s considered as serious as rape and will be treated similarly to rape if taken to court.

Anal rape

If a person penetrates your anus with their penis without your consent, this is rape.

If someone penetrates your anus with another part of their body or object, this is called ‘assault by penetration’. This type of sexual assault can be committed by anyone. Legally this will be treated similarly to rape, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Rape and sexual assaults are deeply violating and traumatic experiences that can affect you both physically and emotionally.

It’s important to think about getting medical help as soon as possible, to check for injury, sexually transmitted infections, or pregnancy.

You can get medical help and support at your local sexual assault referral centre (SARC). Support workers at the SARC can help you to access sexual health checks, sexual health advice, referrals for treatment of STIs, and counselling referrals.

See below for more information and how to find your nearest SARC.

If you feel you may have been exposed to HIV, you should seek medical advice quickly as there is medication (post-exposure prophylaxis – PEP) which can prevent HIV – but only if it’s taken quickly after infection. This may be available at your nearest sexual health clinic or hospital A&E department. You can find out more about PEP on the Terrence Higgins Trust website.

Everyone reacts differently to trauma. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to feel or behave after what you’ve been through. You might experience some of the emotions below, or you might feel nothing at all. Whatever you feel, your response is normal and valid, and we can help you to cope.

You might:

  • feel ashamed or guilty about what happened
  • feel depressed or suicidal
  • have flashbacks
  • have difficulty focusing or sleeping
  • feel numb and in shock
  • be upset, tearful, angry, or irritable.

These are all normal reactions and they might last a long time.

It’s important to remember what happened is not your fault and you’re not alone. You can talk to us, day or night.

You can access medical care and emotional support after experiencing rape or sexual violence at a sexual assault referral centre (SARC). You will not be judged, and you’ll be treated with respect at all times.

Support workers at the SARC can help you access sexual health checks and any other medical aftercare you need. This could include advice about your sexual health, referrals for treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV risk assessment and information about PEP medication to prevent HIV, or counselling referrals.

This animation from NHS England explains what happens at a SARC and the support you can expect:

Forensic medical exam

If you’ve experienced rape in the last seven days, you may choose to have a forensic medical examination at the SARC. Forensic evidence may help your case if you decide to report to the police, but having an exam does not mean you have to report. Evidence can be stored at a SARC for up to two years, so you can decide at a later date whether you want to tell the police about what happened.

Having a forensic exam is an intimate experience, which you may find upsetting. The specialist support staff at the SARC will fully explain the procedure to you beforehand. They can show you the examination room before you begin and can answer any questions you have. They can be with you during the examination, or you can choose to have a trusted friend or family member with you for support.

An experienced doctor or nurse, known as a forensic medical examiner (FME), will carry out the examination. They will record any injuries you have because of what happened and will also collect any DNA evidence that’s available.

The whole process at the SARC may take a few hours, but the medical exam is only a small part of this. You’re in charge of what happens at all times. Nothing will be done without your consent, and you can change your mind or withdraw your consent at any time.

After you’ve finished, you’ll be able to shower in a private bathroom at the SARC and will be offered fresh clothes.

You can find your local SARC using the links below:

All survivors of sexual violence should be able to get the help they need to empower them to move on from the impact of the crime.

We don’t just help people who’ve recently experienced sexual violence — we can support you weeks, months or years after the crime took place.

All of our services are confidential, free and available to anyone who’s experienced sexual violence. We can support you whether or not you have told the police or anyone else about the assault.

  • ISVAs (independent sexual violence advisers) are specially trained advisers available in some SARCs or other voluntary organisations like Victim Support, to help people who have experienced sexual violence. (CHISVAs are children’s ISVAs and support children from five years of age.) Our ISVA services are staffed by specialist caseworkers and are supported by specialist volunteers. They can help you decide on what action you want to take, and the support and help that feels right for you. ISVAs often support victim-survivors through the criminal justice system, if you choose to report the crime, and coordinate health and support services.
  • Our victims’ services work with anyone affected by crime. We’ll help you to decide on the range of support and help that might benefit you.

Support for people charged or convicted of sexual offences

Within our ISVA services we have to ensure the ways we work are safe for victim-survivors and the services are meeting their needs. In order for us to do this, Victim Support is unable to offer ISVA support to those who have been charged or convicted of sexual offences, unless in exceptional circumstances. If you would like more details about Victim Support’s ISVA services please contact us.

Where we receive a referral of an alleged perpetrator in an active criminal justice investigation, we will risk assess the most suitable support method.

As a service we recognise the need for society to reduce the prevalence of sexual violence and understand support should be available to victim-survivors who are charged with, or convicted of, sexual offences. While this is something Victim Support’s ISVA services can’t deliver, the following organisations can:

  • StopSO is a national charity. They have a UK-wide independent network of suitably qualified and experienced professionals who are willing and trained to work with potential sex offenders, sex offenders, and their families. For further information visit their website, stopso.org.uk.
  • The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a national charity dedicated solely to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused. They work with families that have been affected by sexual abuse including: adult male and female sexual abusers; young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours; victims of abuse and other family members. For further information call 0808 1000 900 or visit their website lucyfaithfull.org.uk.

Only you can decide whether to report what’s happened to you to the police. Deciding whether to report or not can be a difficult choice, and people choose not to report for many different reasons.

If you don’t know what to do, we can talk to you about what it would mean and what your options are. We can explain your rights and the services you’re entitled to.

We can also talk to you about the support you could receive and how one of our independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs) may be able to help.

The police should take reports of sexual violence seriously, and you can contact Victim Support to discuss your options and have support throughout the process.

You don’t have to report the crime to the police if you don’t want to, and we’ll be here to support you regardless of whether you choose to report.

We will always respect your decision and never judge you.

If it happened recently

You can report sexual violence by calling 999 soon after the crime. Always call 999 if you feel you’re in danger.

If it happened recently (within seven days), you can have a medical examination carried out at your nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC) to collect forensic evidence. You don’t have to have a forensic examination. However, it can give useful evidence if you choose to report the crime to the police and the case goes to court.

If you’d like to have a forensic examination, try to keep the clothes you were wearing at the time and don’t wash them, and avoid showering if possible. Also try not to eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, or go to the toilet if you can.

Find your local SARC if you’re in England or if you’re in Wales.


If it happened a while ago

If it happened a long time ago, you can still report this to the police by calling 101. You can still access our support, no matter how long ago it happened.

Experiencing a rape or sexual assault is traumatic, and it can take a lot of courage to talk about what happened.

Getting support is an important part of surviving and moving forward with your life.

You might be able to get support from a trusted friend or family member, but there are also organisations that can help. You can speak to your GP about getting help, or talk to a support worker at an organisation like Victim Support. Whoever you decide to talk to, remember you don’t have to face this alone.

Contact Victim Support for help.

When you report a crime to the police, they should automatically ask if you’d like help from an organisation like Victim Support. But anyone affected by crime can contact us directly – you don’t need to talk to the police to get our help.

You can get in touch by:

You can also create a free account on My Support Space – an online resource with interactive guides (including a guide on rape and sexual assault) to help you manage the impact crime has had on you.

If English is not your first language and you’d like support, call our Supportline and let us know which language you speak. We’ll call you back with an interpreter as soon as possible. We also welcome calls via Relay UK and SignLive (BSL).

Families and friends affected by crime can also contact us for support and information. If you’re a child or young person under 18 and are looking for support, visit our children and young people website for information.

Further support and information:

Information leaflets:

Possible health issues

It’s important you consider getting medical help as soon as possible after a rape or sexual assault.

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse describes negative behaviours that one person exhibits over another within families or relationships.