What should I do first if I want to report a sexual offence?

If you want to report a sexual offence in the UK, your first steps are to get to a place where you feel safe, seek medical help if needed, preserve any evidence you can, and contact the police when you are ready. If the assault happened recently, try not to wash, change clothes, or delete messages before getting advice, as these may be important evidence. You can also contact specialist sexual violence support services for help at any stage.

You do not have to contact the police alone. A trusted friend, family member, support worker, sexual assault referral centre, or specialist charity can help you plan the report and stay with you through the process. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If it is not an emergency, you can ask for support while you decide what to do next.

If the offence has just happened, your first priority is your safety and health. Move to a safe place, call emergency services if needed, and get medical attention as soon as possible. Try to avoid showering, changing clothes, cleaning injuries, or deleting digital evidence until you have spoken to a clinician or the police, because these actions can reduce available evidence.

To preserve evidence, avoid washing, bathing, brushing teeth, or changing clothes if you can. Put any clothing or bedding in a clean paper bag if possible, and keep messages, photos, call logs, or social media evidence. Do not worry if you have already showered or changed; you can still report, and professionals can advise you on what evidence may still be available.

Yes. You can get medical care before making a police report, and you should seek urgent treatment if you are injured, in pain, or concerned about pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, or your general health. A sexual assault referral centre or hospital can provide care, support, and forensic advice even if you are unsure about reporting to police.

You can seek support from a sexual assault referral centre, a hospital, local sexual violence charities, victim support services, or the police. Services vary by area, but specialist support is available throughout the UK. If you need help finding the right service, a national helpline or local support organisation can guide you to the nearest option.

No, you do not have to report immediately. Many people need time before they feel ready, and there is usually no requirement to report straight away. That said, reporting sooner can help preserve evidence, but your wellbeing and readiness are important too, and support is available whenever you decide to come forward.

In many cases, you can contact support services anonymously to ask questions and understand your options before deciding whether to give your details. Some police services and charities can explain what happens next without requiring you to make a formal statement immediately. If you are worried about privacy, ask the service how your information will be handled.

After you contact the police, they will usually take some details, assess any immediate risk, and explain your options for making a statement and getting support. They may arrange a specially trained officer or investigator to speak with you. You may also be offered a referral to medical and advocacy services to help you through the process.

Yes. You can report if you are unsure what happened or if your memory is incomplete. It is common to feel confused, shocked, or uncertain after a sexual offence. You can tell the police or a support service what you do remember, and they can help you work through the next steps without expecting you to have all the answers.

A delay in reporting does not mean you will not be taken seriously. Many people report later for a wide range of reasons, including fear, shock, trauma, or not knowing what to do. The police and support services should listen to you respectfully and assess the information you provide, regardless of when you report.

If possible, avoid showering, bathing, brushing teeth, eating, drinking, smoking, or changing clothes until you have spoken to a clinician or the police, especially if the offence was recent and oral or genital contact may have occurred. Try not to clean the scene or delete digital material. If you have already done any of these things, you can still report and seek advice.

If the offender is someone you know, you can still report in exactly the same way, whether the person is a partner, ex-partner, friend, colleague, or family member. Specialist support services can help you plan for safety, housing, work, and contact concerns. The police can also advise on protective measures if you are worried about further contact.

Yes, in many parts of the UK you can access a sexual assault referral centre without first making a police report. These services can provide medical care, forensic examination, and support while you decide whether to involve the police. The exact options can vary by location, so a support service or local clinic can explain what is available where you live.

Children and young people can receive specialist support tailored to their age and needs. They may be able to speak to a parent, carer, teacher, social worker, school nurse, or specialist service to help report and stay safe. If a child is in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted straight away.

If you are afraid of retaliation, tell the police or a support service about your safety concerns as early as possible. They can discuss protective measures, evidence handling, and ways to reduce risk. It can help to save threatening messages, avoid direct contact with the suspect, and make a safety plan with a specialist support worker.

Emotional support is available through specialist sexual violence charities, counselling services, advocacy workers, and victim support organisations. You do not need to wait until after a police report to seek support. If you feel overwhelmed, unsafe, or at risk of self-harm, seek urgent help from emergency services or a crisis line immediately.

Yes. You can usually report a sexual offence even if you are no longer in the area where it happened. The police can explain which force should take the report and how evidence or statements can be handled remotely if needed. Support services can also help you understand your options wherever you are now.

If you can, prepare the approximate time and place of the offence, any description of the person involved, what happened, any injuries, and any evidence such as messages, photos, or clothing. Do not worry if you cannot remember everything. It is enough to share what you do know, and investigators can help gather further details.

Yes. Specialist support services and healthcare providers can usually explain confidentiality and what information may need to be shared for safety or legal reasons. You can ask before you give details how your information will be used and who may see it. If you are worried about privacy at work, at home, or online, a support service can help you plan next steps.