Adult sexual exploitation (ASE) guidance

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)
  • sexual assault
  • 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
  • drug and alcohol abusers
  • 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
  • family members
  • gang members (organised traffickers or drug gangs)
  • drug and alcohol abusers
  • 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
  • pharmacies
     

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
  • Friday, 8:45am to 4:30pm

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