The Bridge (SARC 24hrs)
www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk
The Bridge exists to support anyone of any age who has been raped or sexually assaulted.
We provide emotional, medical and practical care and support for anyone assaulted at anytime.
We provide forensic medical examinations for people who have experienced rape or sexual assault with and without police involvement, giving people the freedom to have evidence collected without the pressure to make an immediate decision about reporting to the police.
Our telephone line is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is for:
– anyone who has been sexually assaulted at any time
– family and friends of anyone who has been assaulted
– professionals who have received a disclosure
The Crisis Worker who answers can provide information, advice and support.
For cases where the assault occurred more than 7 days previously, children can be signposted and supported by their local paediatric team and local sexual violence services in their respective areas. All children from Avon and Somerset will continue to be supported by The Bridge.
We offer Early Trauma Intervention therapy for adults (18+) as a short term intervention designed to recognise and explore your thoughts and feelings around a recent (within the last three months) sexual assault. An assault after three months, we would refer on to another service.
• Gender: all genders
• Age: adults, young people and children of all ages
• Location: BANES, Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire
• Case type: recent rape or sexual assault (in the last 7 days) for forensic medical examination and immediate care. Non-recent (for advice and support)
• Other: we have Clinicians, nurses and crisis workers supporting: adults, adults with complex needs and a specialist Paediatric service
The Support from The Bridge (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) is free and you can choose to remain anonymous throughout your contact with us.
If you do give us your contact details or provide identifiable information and are over 18, we will usually keep your contact with us completely confidential. However, in certain circumstances we may have to share information with another agency (e.g. social services, police or ambulance service) in order to protect you or another person.
This might apply if:
– You are a child or young person under 18 who has experienced, or is at risk of, serious harm or,
– You provide information about a person we feel may be an adult with vulnerabilities who has experienced, or is at risk of, serious harm.
We will always discuss with you if we feel we need to share such information and how and why we would want to share it.
For children aged 13 and under, support will need to be with the co-operation of the police force in their area.
For young people aged 14 to 17, we may not need to have police involvement although we may have to speak to the police.
For adults and most 16 and 17 year olds, the police will not be told unless the client chooses to report. We can support them with the reporting process if they choose.
If you do give us your contact details or provide identifiable information and are over 18, we will usually keep your contact with us completely confidential. However, in certain circumstances we may have to share information with another agency (e.g. social services, police or ambulance service) in order to protect you or another person.
We have female and male Crisis Workers, Female Nurses and Female Doctors. Please let us know if you have a preference.
