Call our Safe Link team on 0333 323 1543 Mon to Fri 8.30am–5.30pm or Sat 9.30 to 1pm
What to do in a crisis
The most important thing to remember is that it was not your fault and we are here to help.
To talk in confidence call 0333 323 1543
If you are in danger or need urgent medical care please call 999.
If you can’t speak, press 55 after the automated police message.
If you live with the person who has hurt you, and you need to leave or get help you can also
- Contact the Police and they will help you get to a safe place
- Call the Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615 165 for Bristol, Banes, South Glos or North Somerset, and 0300 123 23 27 for Somerset.
- Go to your nearest hospital emergency department, especially if you need medical attention
- Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247
- If possible take with you your own front door key, proof of identity, key documents and banking information.
Rape and Sexual assault can happen to anyone. It is irrelevant what you were wearing, how much you had to drink or whether you were in your own home or out for the evening – you did not ask to be raped or sexually assaulted. The blame is entirely the perpetrators.
- Rape and Sexual Assault is nothing to be ashamed of
- You do not have to keep it a secret
- You are not on your own
- You can talk to us in total confidence
- You do not have to report to the police to access our services
- You can just talk to us once or if you want we can give ongoing support
#MakeYourselfHeard #SilentSolution
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What to do if you need urgent police help through the 999 service, but can’t speak
If you’re in an emergency situation and need police help, but can’t speak, Make Yourself Heard and let the 999 operator know your call is genuine.
When you call 999
All 999 calls are directed to call centres and will be answered by BT operators. They will ask which service you need. If no service is requested but anything suspicious is heard throughout the process, BT operators will connect you to a police call handler.
If you call 999 from a mobile
It is always best to speak to the operator if you can, even by whispering. You may also be asked to cough or tap the keys on your phone in response to questions.
If making a sound would put you or someone else in danger and the BT operator cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, your call will be transferred to the Silent Solution system.
The Silent Solution is a police system used to filter out large numbers of accidental or hoax 999 calls. It also exists to help people who are unable to speak, but who genuinely need police assistance. You will hear an automated police message, which lasts for 20 seconds and begins with ‘you are through to the police’. It will ask you to press 55 to be put through to police call management. The BT operator will remain on the line and listen. If you press 55, they will be notified and transfer the call to the police. If you don’t press 55, the call will be terminated. Pressing 55 does not allow police to track your location.
What then?
When transferred to your local police force, the police call handler will attempt to communicate with you by asking simple yes or no questions. If you are not able to speak, listen carefully to the questions and instructions from the call handler so they can assess your call and arrange help if needed.
If you call 999 from a landline
Because it’s less likely that 999 calls are made by accident from landlines, the Silent Solution system is not used.
If, when an emergency call on a landline is received:
– there is no request for an emergency
– the caller does not answer questions
– only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed,
then you will be connected to a police call handler as doubt exists.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick it up again.
If you pick up again during this 45 seconds and the BT operator is concerned for your safety, the call will be connected to police.
When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about where you’re calling from should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.
