Any form of assault is never okay.
What can you do?
Think
- Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999. If you are on Royal College of Music premises call for assistance via Reception on 0207 591 4315.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened try and find somewhere they feel safe.
- What is assault? It might be useful to think about the definition of assault.
Listen and Talk
- Listen. Just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened can help.
- Give options. If someone you know has been affected, you can encourage them to report an incident to the Royal College of Music either anonymously or with their contact details. Alternatively, you can report anonymously yourself, which will allow us to investigate if there are multiple instances in one area. You can also advise them that they can report to the police, at any time after the crime has taken place. The Metropolitan Police website provides further information: https://www.met.police.uk/.
Signpost to Specialist Support
There are a number of specialist organisations that provide support. You could encourage the person affected to reach out to such support.
- Victim Support. Advice and support for victims of crime with a helpline number: 0808168911
- The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centre. Offers 24/7 advice, urgent appointments and offers a range of support including medical tests, forensic examinations and counselling. Their helpline, 020 3299 6900, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Survivors Gateway. London hub helping survivors of sexual violence to access specialist services
- SurvivorsUK. Support for male survivors of sexual violence
- National Domestic Violence helpline and support. Helpline number: 0808 2000 247
- Galop. National LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Helpline
- Stop Hate UK. Provides support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
- Students. Royal College of Music Students can get in touch with Student Services to find out more about support available, including free Counselling support.
- Staff. Royal College of Music staff can access free, confidential, professional help from our Employee Assistance Provider, CiC Confidential Care, 24 hours per day.
- Togetherall – online support. All students and staff can access Togetherall for free - a 24/7 online service that provides advice and support for those dealing with low mood, anxiety and other mental health issues.
- Mental Health First Aiders. All staff and students can arrange to speak to one of our trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Take care of yourself too. It’s important that you take care of yourself and talk to someone if you need to.
- Find out more about support for Mental Health and Wellbeing.