Supporting young people's sexual health
Supporting young people's sexual health
Choose the service you need
Sexual assault and rape can happen to anyone, whatever their gender or sexual orientation.
Sexual violence is any kind of unwanted sexual act or activity.
This includes rape and sexual assault, child sexual abuse, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, and other unwanted sexual activity.
It does not matter what it was that happened, how long ago it was, or who it was that hurt you.
You do not have to cope on your own.
Rape and sexual assault are against the law. You should tell someone that you trust. Your safety and wellbeing are important.
A clinic or drop in across Lothian
Young people aged 13 and older can get free, confidential sexual health support and treatment at clinics and drop ins across Edinburgh, East, West and Mid Lothian. Staff are there to listen and work with you to identify what support is best.
The STAR project
STAR offer confidential, emotional and practical support to young people, including all members of the trans community and non-binary people, aged 12 to 18 in Edinburgh and the Lothians, who have experienced rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual bullying, or circulation of an intimate picture without your consent.
Get support by emailing star@ercc.scot or phone Rape Crisis Scotland helpline (5pm-midnight) on 08088 01 03 02.
The sexual assault response co-ordination service (SARCS)
If you are 16 and over you can turn to SARCS. Their self-referral phone service can can help to arrange care for you in the days following a rape or sexual assault. After you phone, the healthcare professional at the SARCS will phone you back to discuss and arrange your care with a local healthcare professional.
If you are under 16, when you phone the sexual assault self-referral phone service you will be listened to, and will get support and help. The person you speak to will make a decision about your immediate safety. They will then take your details and pass them to a healthcare professional – this could be a doctor or a nurse, for example.
