Approved: February 2021
Adults can be sexually exploited in many ways. Examples include:
- rape (which can include rape by a partner, if the sex is unwanted - no means no, with no exception)
- being tricked or manipulated into having sex or performing a sexual act
- being trafficked into, out of, or around the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation (i.e. prostitution)
- being forced to take part in or watch pornography
- being victim to revenge porn (when a previously taken video or photograph, which was taken with or without consent, is shared online)
Grooming
Very often there is an element of grooming involved in advance of the abuse or exploitation. Grooming refers to actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a person, in order to lower their inhibitions in preparation for abuse or exploitation.
Who can be a victim and who can be a perpetrator?
Anybody could be a victim of sexual exploitation, rape or sexual assault. While a majority of victims are women, men can also be victim. The following are especially vulnerable:
- victims of domestic violence and abuse
- homeless people and those with limited or no immigration status
- nightlife or weekend party goers
- adults with physical or learning disabilities
- adults with mental health difficulties
- victims of forced marriage
Perpetrators
Anybody could be a perpetrator of sexual exploitation, rape or sexual assault. Commonly, perpetrators include:
- partners - boyfriends or girlfriends or husbands or wives
- gang members (organised traffickers or drug gangs)
- persons in position of trust, including landlords
Victims
Signs that an adult may be victim of sexual exploitation, rape or sexual assault
- demonstrating signs of domestic violence and abuse
- becoming alcohol dependent or user of drugs
- showing signs of change in behaviour and emotions
- their passport or identity documents taken away by gang members (consider modern day slavery (MDS) and trafficking)
- they have been subject to a forced marriage
Where to go for help
Where to go for help if you or someone you know may be victim of sexual exploitation, rape or sexual assault
Victims, especially long-term victims of sexual exploitation can suffer from serious health problems, including mental, physical and sexual health issues.
There are a range of services available in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent noted on the following pages.
Please note: opening times may be different due to Covid-19 and it is recommended that you check the opening hours before you attend.
You can find your local GP by entering your post code on the NHS website.
Contraception and sexual health (CASH) clinics
North Staffordshire
Cobridge Community Health Centre
Church Terrace, Cobridge, ST6 2JN
Phone: 0300 7900 165
Queue and wait - includes GUM services:
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 11:00am - 6:00pm
- Wednesday - 11.00am – 2.30pm
Appointments available Monday to Saturday
Ryecroft Health Centre
Broad Street, Newcastle, ST5 2BQ
Phone: 0300 7900 165
- Tuesday - 1:15pm - 5:30pm (under 25s queue and wait)
- Thursday - 8:45am - 12:30pm (contraception appointments only)
- Thursday - 1.00pm to 5.00pm – (under 25s queue and wait)
Blurton Health Centre
Ripon Road, Blurton, ST3 3BS
Phone: 0300 7900 165 (for Stoke-on-Trent residents only)
- Thursday - 1:30pm - 5:00pm (queue and wait - includes GUM services)
- Thursday - 4:15pm - 7:00pm (appointments only)
Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre
Bentilee, ST2 0HG
Phone: 0300 124 5022 (for Stoke-on-Trent residents only)
- Thursday - 1:15pm - 2:45pm (appointments only)
- Thursday - 3:30pm - 5:30pm (queue and wait - contraception only)
Meir Primary Care Centre
Weston Road, Meir, ST3 6AB
Phone: 0300 7900 165 (for Stoke-on-Trent residents only)
- Friday - 9:15am - 12pm (appointments only)
- Friday - 1:00pm - 4:30pm (under 25s queue and wait)
Shelton Primary Care Centre
Norfolk Street, Shelton, ST1 4PB
Phone: 0300 7900 165 (for Stoke-on-Trent residents only)
- Wednesday - 8:15am - 3:30pm (appointments only)
South Staffordshire
Branston Clinic
Main Street Branston, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 3EY
Phone: 0300 124 5022 option 3
Appointment only
- Monday and Wednesday - 8:30am - 6:00pm
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - 8:30am - 4:00pm
Sir Robert Peel Hospital
Plantation Lane, Mile Oak, Tamworth, B78 3NG
Phone: 0300 124 5022 option 2
Walk in services, no appointment necessary
- Monday - 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Tuesday and Thursday - 2:00pm - 7:00pm
- Wednesday - 12:45pm - 4:00pm
- Saturday 9:30am - 12:00pm
Cannock Clinic
Park House, 12 Park Road, Cannock, WS11 1JN
Phone: 0300 124 5022 option 1
Appointment only
Stafford Central Clinic
2nd Floor, Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford, ST16 3AQ
Phone: 0300 124 5022 option 1, during clinic opening hours
No appointment necessary
- Monday – Wednesday - 10:00am - 7:00pm
- Thursday - 2:00pm - 7:00pm
- Friday - 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Saturday - 09:30am - 12:00pm
Emergency contraception
Please note: emergency contraception is also available from:
- primary care centre or GP
- minor injuries department
Genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM)
Cobridge Community Health Centre (Grange Park)
Church Terrace, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2JN
Queue and wait service for CASH and GUM
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 11.00am to 6.00pm
- Wednesday: 11.00am to 2.30pm
Phone: 0300 7900 165
Karma Nivarna
Supporting victims of honour-based abuse.
Phone: 0800 5999 247
Website: Karma Nivarna
Modern Slavery Helpline
Phone: 08000 121 700
New Era
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent domestic abuse service.
Phone: 0300 303 3778
Website: New Era website
Police
If an adult is in immediate danger call 999 immediately or contact 101 for police non-emergencies.
Staffordshire Police have a team that has includes specially trained officers to deal with complaints of sexual assault and rape. Call 101 for more information.
Public Health
Rape Crisis
Website: Rape Crisis
Helpline: 0808 802 9999
Savana: out of hours crisis workers for SARC
Savana, Wood House, Etruria Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5NQ
Email: Info@savana.org.uk
Business line: 01782 433205
24 hour message line: 01782 433204
Independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) support:
or
Staffordshire County Council
Abuse of an adult with care and support needs.
Phone: 0345 604 2719
Email: VAStaffordshire@staffordshire.gov.uk
A trained member of staff will be available to help you between 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday-Thursday (excluding Bank Holidays) and 08:30am - 4:30pm Fridays.
To report a concern outside of these hours, please contact the Emergency Duty Service on 0345 604 2886
Staffordshire sexual assault referral centre (SARC)
The centre can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, however self-referral appointments take place between the hours of 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
Cobridge Community Health Centre (Grange Park)
Church Terrace, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 2JN
Phone: 01782 980380
For self-referral phone: 0800 970 0372
Staffordshire Women's Aid
24-hour helpline: 0300 330 5959
Website: Staffordshire Women's Aid
Stoke on Trent City Council
Abuse of an adult with care and support needs.
Phone: 0800 561 0015
Normal working hours are:
- Monday to Thursday, 8:45am to 5:00pm
If you call at any other time you will speak to the emergency duty team.
Voices of Hope
Working to end modern day slavery.
Phone: 07971 873 595
Website: Voices of Hope