Help if you're not sure whether to report rape or sexual assault
We know it can be difficult to report rape or sexual assault. We understand that there are lots of reasons people choose not to report, and it's always your choice.
If you aren't sure what to do, the information on this page might help you decide whether reporting is right for you. We're here for you and we will look after you whatever you decide to do.
And if you're ready, here's how to report rape and sexual assault.
We won't judge you
If you decide to report it to us, we won't judge you based on any of the common myths about rape.
It doesn't matter who you are or what has happened to you, you have the same right to be heard and to justice as everyone else.
There's no time limit
You can report rape or sexual assault no matter how long ago the incident happened. There's no time limit and it doesn't matter if you can't remember all the details.
Reasons people decide to report
None of these might apply to you. Every decision to report or not report is personal. But here are some reasons people say they decided to report rape and sexual assault.
- It can help emotionally as part of the recovery process.
- Where rape or sexual assault happened in a relationship, as part of a pattern of domestic abuse, reporting can help end the relationship and escape the violence.
- It could be the first step on the road to a guilty verdict in court.
- It can help with claiming compensation.
- It can help us solve other cases and stop the attacker assaulting someone else.
If you report it and you're unhappy with us
You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times. But we know that sometimes your experience might feel unfair, insensitive, or worse.
If this happens to you, we want to support you and make things better. If we can't, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to hold us to account.
If you're unhappy with our decision not to charge someone or pass your case to the Crown Prosecution Service, you might be able to use the Victims' Right to Review (VRR) scheme.
If you're unhappy about anything else about the way we've treated you, you can:
- file a complaint against us online using our online complaints service
- contact the Victims' Commissioner who is appointed by the Government to represent the victims and witnesses of crime
Immigration
No matter what your immigration status, if you report a rape, sexual assault or other crime to us we'll treat you as a survivor and victim of crime first.
But if during an investigation we find out that you may be in the country illegally, we may share information with Immigration Enforcement, who will decide what to do.
This can be worrying, but we think it's important to tell you about the possibility, so you can make an informed choice about what to do.
If you are worried about this there are support services who can tell you about your rights and help you decide what to do.
Women's organisation dedicated to addressing violence against black and minoritised women and girls.
Imkaan's member organisations offer specialist support.
Support for male survivors of Asian, African and African-Caribbean origin.
Who else you can talk to
If you would like to talk through your decision before reporting to us, or if you want to report it to them instead of us, you can contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) or another organisation to discuss this confidentially.