Support: your resources
If you have been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted, you do not have to cope on your own. There are many support services available to help you. There is no time limit on seeking the help of advisers, the Police, your GP, or other support services. This page includes information for your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Information and Help After Rape and Sexual Assault is published by the Scottish Government and includes information on how to look after yourself, how the legal system works in Scotland, and where to get help and more information.
Use the Report and Support Tool.
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How to contact Student Services and other external support services.
Student Services
Student Services has experienced advisers who can provide support as well as information about external services and your reporting options.
Email: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk (subject: Support Report)
Phone:
- Daytime: +44 (0)1334 46 2020.
- Out of Hours: +44 (0)1334 47 8999 and ask for the on-call Student Services manager to call you back.
- Hall of Residence: Call your warden's duty phone or go along to the daily drop-in.
Come along to the ASC or Eden Court with a Support.Report card and hand it to a receptionist. There is no need to say anything.
External Support Services
You may wish to seek support outside the University:
- Rape Crisis Scotland: +44(0)8088 010302 - Helpline open 6pm till midnight
- Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre: +44 (0)1592 642336
- Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project: +44 (0)1592 644217
- Safe Space: +44 (0)1383 739084
- Victim Support Fife: +44 (0)845 241 2126 - Helpline is open Monday to Friday 8am-8pm
- Women’s Rape and Sexual Assault Centre: +44 (0)1382 201291 - Helpline opening hours:
- Monday 12pm to 2pm
- Tuesday 10am to 12pm
- Wednesday 7pm to 9pm
- Thursday 2pm to 4pm
- Friday 7pm to 9pm
The NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) can provide information and support following a rape or sexual assault.
SARCS might also be able to arrange a forensic medical examination (FME). If you've been raped or sexually assaulted in the last 7 days and you're not sure if you want to report this to the police, you can self-refer to SARCS where a FME can be arranged. Any evidence collected can then be stored for 26 months in case you decide you want to report to the police at a later date. If after 26 months you choose not to report to the police, the evidence will be destroyed.
To find out more information or to self-refer to SARCS, please call 0800 148 88 88. This phone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
Further information can be found on the SARCS website.
The Healing Collective
The Healing Collective is a collaborative, survivor-led initiative based in St Andrews which fosters mutual support amongst survivors in their journeys towards healing.
NSPCC helpline
The UK government Department for Education has commissioned the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) to set up a helpline to support victims of sexual harassment and abuse in all education settings. This provides advice, support and signposting to other agencies where appropriate.
It's open to all higher education students across the UK, parents or guardians of students, and any staff within higher education. Contact the NSPCC the helpline +44 (0)800 136663 or via email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Violence, Abuse and Mental Health Network (VAMHN)
VAMHN has launched a survivor-led report that provides guidance on how to reach and help young people experiencing abuse in their households.
St Andrews Police Station
68 Pipeland Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9AEPhone: 101 or 999 in an emergency situation.
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Information about the relevant services offered by the NHS
Student Health Hub
For assistance accessing the right service within the NHS:
Email: studenthealth@st-andrews.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 5777Student Health Hub
St Andrews Community Hospital
Largo Road
St Andrews
KY16 8ARLocal Doctors
- Pipeland Medical Centre: +44 (0)1334 477477
- Blackfriars Medical Practice: +44 (0)1334 476840
- Out of hours medical help: 111 or 999 in an emergency
Sexual Health Clinics
- Students only clinic:
1pm to 4pm every Friday (term-time only) - Public clinic:
9am to 12.30pm every Friday
Both clinics are by appointment only; please call +44 (0)1592 647979 from 8.30am to 1.30pm Monday to Friday for an appointment.
For more information please see the Sexual Health and Contraception information on the University website.
NHS Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS)
SARCS is a dedicated NHS service which can offer healthcare and support in the days after an assault, if you’re not ready or unsure whether to go to the police. More information on the services SARCS offer can be found in their brochure.
Access support via their website :https://www.nhsinform.scot/turn-to-sarcs
Call SARCS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 148 88 88
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A range of academic support and adjustments are available
The University understands the trauma, both immediate and long term, and mental strain that sexual misconduct can have on an individual. To ensure your academic studies are not adversely affected, you can request adjustments. These adjustments are not specific to sexual misconduct, as this will be handled as an "extenuating circumstance" which affects your studies. Such adjustments can be made for other issues students face too, through the Extenuating Circumstance Policy.
These adjustments are case and School dependent. They could range from ongoing extensions for coursework, to deferral of exams or time out from your studies. To find out about your options and what can work for you, speak to a member of staff at Student Services. They can help arrange adjustments with your School(s).
When speaking to your School, you do not need to give detailed information regarding your circumstances if you have previously notified Student Services - you may quote "Student Services are aware of my recent circumstances and I give permission for them to share relevant information". You can work with Student Services staff to discuss what information you are comfortable sharing.
Examples of adjustments include, but are not limited to:
Extensions to coursework (i.e. essays).
S-coding is a process through which credits for a module are retained however the grade may not be included in the degree classification calculation. Allowance can be made for special circumstances affecting the final grade for a module. It cannot be applied to modules at 1000 or 2000 level (except for students on the BA International Honours programme).
A leave of absence is a period away from the University, during which your studies are suspended. This is something you have to apply for and it is advised you do so after speaking with Student Services and a Registry Officer.
More information about academic adjustments can be found on the Academic Advice page.
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Support with finance and accommodation, provided by the University
The University can provide practical assistance. The types of assistance needed will vary depend on your situation. You can discuss any of the following with Student Services:
Accommodation
If you feel that you are currently not living in a safe space, please let the University know. Student Services can help you explore options for alternative accommodation in both the short and longer term.
Financial support
If you require financial support, the Money Advice Team can advise on the types of financial support available. We would recommend speaking to them if you are considering taking some time out of your studies. If you receive external funding, your external funding body may have advice on how they can support you.
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About the University's partnership with FRASAC
The University has partnered with the Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre (FRASAC), by funding a FRASAC worker to provide support to students who disclose sexual violence.
The FRASAC worker will be based in St Andrews, working Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 4.30pm.
The FRASAC worker is not a University employee, however they will:
- undertake relevant University training;
- be invited to attend relevant Student Services meetings;
- have knowledge of key University policies to help advise and signpost students;
- be involved in service developments and student facing communications regarding sexual violence.
Students seeking support for disclosures of sexual violence are encouraged to speak to Student Services in the first instance. A referral to FRASAC will be offered, alongside any practical advice and support (e.g. academic, alternative accommodation, financial) and determining any immediate safety needs. Students who do not wish to involve the University may self-refer directly to FRASAC by calling +44 (0)1592 642336 or emailing info@frasac.org.uk.
FRASAC will assess support needs, including crisis support. Where ongoing support is appropriate, students will generally be offered 6 sessions, after which further support needs will be reviewed.
FRASAC will hold information regarding students who are receiving support. This will not be shared with the University. Should the student wish information to be shared they will be asked to give written consent. For students who self-refer, please note that the University will not know that the student is receiving support, and will be unable to use this information to support appropriate academic adjustments, or any other supportive or precautionary measures. The student can at any point ask the FRASAC worker to support them to talk to Student Services.
The FRASAC worker will liaise with the University if appropriate to seek information to support and advise the student.
FRASAC may share information with the University with the intention of addressing service quality/process issues.
Reporting an incident
You can anonymously report any form of sexual misconduct which you, or someone you know has experienced using the Report and Support tool. You can also choose to use this tool to report using your contact details so a member of Student Services can get in touch with you to help provide support.