Professionals – The Bridge

The Bridge is here 24/7, 365 days a year to offer you information and guidance if someone discloses to you that they have been raped or sexually assaulted

Please note, we are not on site evenings/weekends/bank hols. Best to call first.

To make a referral to The Bridge, please click the button on the right hand side.

For advice and guidance, please see the information below.

The information provided is for reference only, please be aware that guidelines and pathways can change quickly, you can always ring The Bridge directly for information and guidance 24/7, 365 days a year. Our telephone number is always answered by one of our specialist team.

Professionals Open Morning – We offer an open morning where professionals can visit The Bridge in person who would like to know more about our work, and answer any questions they may have. Contact our main email address or by phone to book into one of our open mornings.

The relevance of some resources below will depend on your profession and the context in which you might receive a disclosure.

Understanding medical examinations for child sexual abuse concerns - CSA Centre Video

The Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse have produced a video resource about the role and purpose of a medical examination in situations where child sexual abuse has been disclosed or suspected. Please see below for information provided by the Centre:

The practitioner resource

Dealing effectively with a problem as pervasive and important as child sexual abuse needs everyone with a stake in working to prevent child sexual abuse to get involved.

This evidence-informed film will help professionals from multi-agency backgrounds better understand the role and purpose of a medical examination in situations where child sexual abuse has been disclosed or suspected. It is applicable to any setting in which children may be seen for a medical examination, and is relevant to both recent and non-recent cases of CSA.

The resource aims to help professionals and practitioners involved in advising, referring and supporting children and families make decisions and explain processes to children and families.

This video has been produced by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse and all credit goes to them. Please visit their website for further information on this resource: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/knowledge-practice/medical-examinations/

Information Booklets for Children & Young People and Parents / Carers

Click here to download our guide for children aged 2-10.

Click here to download our guide for children and young people aged 10-17.

Timescales for immediate medical care

Click here to download ‘Timescales for medical care’.

Guidance for professionals when caring for a patient who has disclosed that they have been raped or sexually assaulted

Click here to download ‘Guidance for medical professionals’.

Educational Resources

There are a number of great educational resources available to help discuss sex, consent and relationships with young people, such as:

The above is just a very small selection, however if you need advice, information or support on talking about our service, and what we do, to young people, get in touch and we’ll be able to answer any of your queries or questions.

Training for professionals

The Bridge can provide training to professionals on responding to disclosures of rape or sexual assault. If this is something you are interested in, please do not hesitate to email TheBridge@UHBW.nhs.uk and one of the team will be in touch.

If you have bespoke training needs, please do not hesitate to contact us and one of the team will be in touch to discuss how we can help you.

If you would like a member of the team to attend one of your team meetings or staff training sessions and talk about our service, this may be something we can facilitate, contact us and we can discuss more.

When did this happen?

Less than 8 days ago?

More than 8 days ago?

Your choices

I do not want to report to the police

Call The Bridge on 0117 342 6999
A Crisis Worker will listen to what has happened to you and explain how we can help
We can arrange for a Doctor or Nurse to examine you, to check you are ok and look for forensic evidence*, if this is what you choose to go ahead with
We will store forensic samples for 2 years. If you decide to report to the police, the samples can be used as evidence in their investigation
You can have an examination even if you have already washed, although there may be more DNA evidence on your body, if you feel able to wait until after an examination
We will make sure that your sexual health is looked after
We can give you emergency contraception if needed
We will offer you practical and emotional support, including counselling, and will arrange this support for you

*Forensic timescales vary (this means that for different types of assault, there are different lengths of time that we can look for DNA evidence, ring The Bridge on 0117 342 6999 to discuss how we can help you and your situation).

I want to report to the police

Call the police on 101 or 999
A Specially Trained Officer will come to speak with you
The Officer may call The Bridge to arrange for a Doctor or Nurse to examine you, to check you are ok and to look for forensic evidence*
You can have an examination even if you have already washed, although there may be more DNA evidence on your body if you feel able to wait until after an examination
We will make sure that your sexual health is looked after
We can give you emergency contraception if needed
After you leave The Bridge, an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser can support you with the police investigation
We will offer you practical and emotional support, including counselling, and will arrange this support for you

I do not want to report to the police

Call The Bridge on 0117 342 6999.
A Crisis Worker will listen carefully and supportively to understand what happened to you, when it happened and what your situation is now
The Crisis Worker will explain what support is available to you and help you to decide on your next steps
You do not have to tell the Crisis Worker your name or contact details unless you choose to.
If you do give us your name and contact details, the Crisis Worker will help to arrange any support that you decide you want
The support we can arrange includes sexual health care, advocacy and counselling

I want to report to the police

Call the police on 101 or 999
A Specially Trained Officer will come to speak with you
The Officer will give The Bridge your details and ask us to contact you to offer you support
The Officer will arrange for you to complete a video interview
An Independent Sexual Violence Advisor can support you when you meet with the police for this interview. If you have not heard from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor before your interview, talk to your allocated police officer or call The Bridge
Other support that The Bridge can arrange includes sexual health care and counselling

Experiences

All the staff have been so friendly and welcoming, and very kind. I was supported from the very first contact, and overall, could not have gone through the past few years without this wonderful service. A major asset to our NHS service, and one that I hope is able to reach as many individuals as need it.