What happens first after you report rape or sexual assault
This page is about what happens if you report rape or sexual assault to the police. Some things about the process will be different if you report it to someone else like a rape and sexual assault support service.
If you report it to us online, your answers will be sent to our control room and will be treated the same way as if you'd phoned us.
If you told us we can contact you, an officer will get back to you in a maximum of 24 hours, or at a time you've asked us to.
If you report something to us anonymously (without giving us your details), we'll only try to contact you if we think you or someone else is in danger.
Your account
If you’re comfortable talking about what happened, we'll ask you to go over four main things:
- Who did this?
- What happened?
- Where did it happen?
- When did it happen?
You might have already told us about some of these when you first reported to us. We realise it may be difficult to tell us about the same events more than once. But this is a normal part of the process, and it doesn't mean we didn't believe you the first time.
We promise to listen to you and take your report seriously. We won't judge you or doubt you based on any of the common myths about rape.
We know you might not remember or understand exactly what has happened to you. That's okay.
Forensic evidence
If there might be recent forensic evidence, we may suggest you go for a forensic medical examination at a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
Forensic evidence means something that the offender might have left behind at the scene or on your body that could help us prove what happened.
But you're in control, and if you don’t want a forensic medical exam, that's fine.
More about forensic evidence in rape and sexual assault
Police support and communication
After you've given us your account, specially trained officers will work on your case. They'll get you the help and support you need and investigate the case.
One of these officers should be your single point of contact with us. This means when you talk to us, it will usually be with this person. They'll explain what's happening at each step, answer your questions and keep you up to date.
Specialist support
We'll offer to refer you to a specialist support service, for example to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA). They can support you throughout the criminal justice process.
You can also refer yourself to a support service.
Support services for rape and sexual assault
The suspect
If we can identify and find the suspect, we may arrest them. The decision will be based on what you want but also on what we think is best for the public.