The Haven

What we do

We provide urgent and follow-up care to people who have been sexually assaulted or raped. Our patients or clients may be women, men, adults or children.

We offer:

• support, advice and counselling
• medical care, such as emergency contraception, infection prevention
• forensic examinations to collect evidence
• follow-up medical care, such as pregnancy tests and tests for sexually transmited infections (STIs).
  

Some of our services are time dependent, so please phone us to discuss this. We can help you to contact the police and report what has happened, and it is their duty to investigate. If you report the assault to the police first, they will organise your visit to us.

We respect our patients' confidentiality and right to privacy. Where appropriate and necessary for your care, safety and wellbeing or to assist the investigation, we will discuss with you what information can be shared and how.

Find out more about us and the service we offer at www.thehavens.org.uk

Preparing for your appointment

Anyone can contact us on your behalf: you, a friend, a family member, the police, a doctor or nurse. The Haven is not a walk-in service: an appointment must be made and confirmed by telephone, email or letter.

If you, or the person for whom you are making contact, is considering a forensic examination following a recent sexual assault or rape, please keep any underwear, clothing or sanitary wear as this may provide useful evidence.

Do not wash or bathe before an examination because it may remove forensic evidence.

If you do not remember what has happened, it is important you understand the examination itself will not provide an answer, and forensic tests may not show any evidence (such as DNA), but that does not confirm that nothing happened.

Where possible, the doctor or nurse who you saw before coming to The Haven should try to provide any medical care you need.

Location

Ground floor, Caldecot Centre, 15-22 Caldecot Road, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 1599

Patient Information Leaflets

Conditions we treat

We provide comprehensive, patient-centred acute and follow-up care to those who have been sexually assaulted or raped. Our patients or clients may be women, men, adults or children.

We provide:

• immediate support and advice
• clinical care such as emergency contraception, HIV PEPSE, hepatitis vaccinations, bacterial prophylaxis
• forensic examination to collect evidence, where appropriate, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• follow-up clinical care, such as pregnancy test, and STI screening and treatment
• counselling
• anonymous police clinics with sexual offences investigations officers.
  

Some of our services are time dependent, so please phone us to discuss this or for advice. Although many patients attend having already reported to the police what has happened, we can assist in making contact on their behalf.

We are not a walk-in service, so appointments must be made with our staff and confirmed by telephone, email or letter.

What is required before referring a patient

If the patient is considering a forensic examination for evidence, following a recent sexual assault or rape, retaining underwear, clothing, sanitary wear and so on may be useful. Washing or bathing before an examination may remove forensic evidence.

Evidence collection is time dependent, so information about what happened and when is required.

A relative, friend or advocate may attend with the patient, for support. If their ability to consent is impaired or they have any special needs, such as requiring a translator, please tell us.

Clinicians should try to provide any medical care at their first point of contact, before the patient attends The Haven.

Clinical care takes priority over forensic examination, although they are often combined.

People with serious injuries – for example, vaginal bleeding, head injuries or stab wounds – should be seen and assessed in the ED first.

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

To speak to Haven staff, tel 020 3299 1599 (Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm) or King's switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000 (out of hours) and ask for the Haven service.

Or go to www.thehavens.org.uk

Emergency Referrals

To speak to Haven staff, tel 020 3299 1599 (Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm) or King's switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000 (out of hours) and ask for the Haven service.

Or go to www.thehavens.org.uk

Other Queries

For advice, tel 020 3299 1599 (Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm) or King's switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000 (out of hours) and ask for the Haven service.

Or go to www.thehavens.org.uk

Referral Forms

There are no referral forms for this service.

Key Clinical Staff