Support after Sexual Assault

At Sloane Court Clinic, we understand that experiencing rape and/or sexual assault can have a profound emotional and psychological impact on a person’s wellbeing.

This type of trauma can happen to anyone of any gender, age, sexual orientation, race, or religion.

Please note that while we can help provide support and manage psychological distress and trauma after an assault, we are not able to provide a crisis service.

If you need support in a crisis, please follow the guidance here.

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There is no single ‘right way’ to feel after this type of trauma, and it is incredibly normal to struggle with a range of emotions and challenges, including:

• intrusive recollections or flashbacks to parts of the incident
• difficulties with sleep, including nightmares
• concentration and memory issues
• strong emotions of shame, guilt, anger, loneliness, anxiety, sadness
• feelings of disconnection, dissociation, and numbness

You might notice that you are

• feeling more on edge and alert to your surroundings
• have an urge to avoid all reminders of what happened
• experiencing body image or sexual difficulties
• experience a dip in your self-esteem and self-confidence
• navigating issues of trust and difficulties within relationships

We also know that if you have experienced a previous traumatic incident, it is likely that some of these recollections may also come back to the surface as you continue to process the more recent incident.

Taking the step to seek support is a brave decision. We recognise that it may be very hard to speak with others about what happened. We are here to provide compassionate, expert care to help guide you through the healing process at a pace that feels right for you.

Our approach centres on creating a safe, confidential, and nurturing space. Our team of clinical psychologists and therapists have specialist training in trauma recovery, aiming to help reclaim and restore a sense of empowerment. You may have decided to report what happened or chosen not to. Either is absolutely fine and entirely your choice. We understand that the criminal justice system can also bring up its own challenges and our clinicians are also on hand to help navigate this aspect of your journey.

Therapy following rape and/or sexual assault can involve a range of evidence-based techniques, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), or supportive counselling.

These approaches are designed to help process the trauma, alleviate symptoms of distress, and develop strategies for coping, so you can gradually reclaim a sense of control in your life.

Throughout, we work collaboratively, ensuring that each session is guided by what feels most supportive to you.