Rape and Sexual Assault

What is Sexual Assault?

“Any physical, psychological and emotional violation in the form of a sexual act, inflicted on someone without their consent (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003).  A person commits an offence if: they intentionally touch another person; the touching is sexual; the recipient does not consent to the touching and the person touching does not believe that that recipient consents.”

GOV.UK

It could include: 

• Kissing

• Rape and attempted rape

• Touching someone’s breasts or genitals – including through clothing

• Touching any other part of the body for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, stroking someone’s thigh or rubbing their back

• Pressing up against another person for sexual pleasure

• Pressuring, manipulating or scaring someone into performing a sexual act on the perpetrator

• Touching someone’s clothing if done for sexual pleasure or in a sexual manner – for example, lifting up someone’s skirt

What Support is Available?

Support is available at the university for yourself or someone you are worried about via Report It.

If you have been sexually assaulted it is important that you seek medical help as soon as possible. Find your nearest support service on the NHS website.

You can find support from the police by calling 101 (non-emergencies), 999 (emergencies), or by visiting your local police station.

St Mary’s Centre provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated forensic, counselling and aftercare service to men, women and children living in the Greater Manchester area who have experienced rape or sexual assault, whether this has happened recently or in the past. Learn more about their services by visiting their website.

If you require additional support information beyond the information provided, we recommend that you contact the team directly via report-it@salford.ac.uk.

Staff members are encouraged to find additional information about staff reporting via report it on the Staff Hub.