Aftercare
Sexual Health Aftercare, Emergency Contraception & Blood Borne Viruses
During assessment with the Forensic Examiner they will discuss Emergency Contraception, Pregnancy and Blood Borne Viruses such as HIV. Being raped or sexually assaulted may put you at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STI). It may be important to consider emergency contraception if no contraception was used or if you have reason to believe the contraceptive device used may have failed. If you are seen within the first 5 days of an assault Oakwood Place may be able to provide you with emergency contraception. These methods are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy but must be accessed early after a sexual assault. In certain cases the risk of some infections like HIV can be reduced if medication is given as soon as possible. This will be discussed with you by the Forensic Examiner and medication can be given if appropriate.
Sexual Health Screening
Sexually transmitted infections can have a major impact on your health, so it is important to receive the right medical treatment as soon as possible. If you do not wish to access Oakwood Place services it is important that you access STI screening even if you haven't experienced any symptoms, as some infections do not show any symptoms. It is advised following any sexual assault that you are screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you attend Oakwood Place for a forensic medical examination, it may be too soon for a sexually transmitted infection test. A full STI test should be done around 10-14 days after an assault; this can be completed at your local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic. Oakwood Place can make an appointment for you to attend your local Sexual Health clinic. Alternatively if you wish to make the appointment yourself we can provide you with the clinic details. A list of these clinics can be found on our Useful Contacts page.
Emotional Support
Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) are specially trained to support victims of sexual violence and are able to offer practical and emotional support after you have been to the centre and leading up to and during a court case if required.All ISVA services within Essex are free and confidential. If you haven't reported the assault to the Police or as a self referral you can still access ISVA support by directly contacting them yourself. Alternatively Oakwood Place can arrange this referral for you.
For information on which organisation covers your area please click here.
Sexual Health Aftercare, Emergency Contraception & Blood Borne Viruses
During assessment with the Forensic Examiner they will discuss Emergency Contraception, Pregnancy and Blood Borne Viruses such as HIV. Being raped or sexually assaulted may put you at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STI). It may be important to consider emergency contraception if no contraception was used or if you have reason to believe the contraceptive device used may have failed. If you are seen within the first 5 days of an assault Oakwood Place may be able to provide you with emergency contraception. These methods are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy but must be accessed early after a sexual assault. In certain cases the risk of some infections like HIV can be reduced if medication is given as soon as possible. This will be discussed with you by the Forensic Examiner and medication can be given if appropriate.
Sexual Health Screening
Sexually transmitted infections can have a major impact on your health, so it is important to receive the right medical treatment as soon as possible. If you do not wish to access Oakwood Place services it is important that you access STI screening even if you haven't experienced any symptoms, as some infections do not show any symptoms. It is advised following any sexual assault that you are screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you attend Oakwood Place for a forensic medical examination, it may be too soon for a sexually transmitted infection test. A full STI test should be done around 10-14 days after an assault; this can be completed at your local Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic. Oakwood Place can make an appointment for you to attend your local Sexual Health clinic. Alternatively if you wish to make the appointment yourself we can provide you with the clinic details. A list of these clinics can be found on our Useful Contacts page.
Emotional Support
Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) are specially trained to support victims of sexual violence and are able to offer practical and emotional support after you have been to the centre and leading up to and during a court case if required.All ISVA services within Essex are free and confidential. If you haven't reported the assault to the Police or as a self referral you can still access ISVA support by directly contacting them yourself. Alternatively Oakwood Place can arrange this referral for you.
For information on which organisation covers your area please click here.