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Who can support you first?
If you do not feel safe contacting the police alone, you do not have to do it by yourself. A trusted friend, family member, neighbour, teacher, colleague, or support worker can stay with you while you make the report. They can help you feel calmer, keep notes, and remind you what you want to say.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 straight away. If speaking is difficult, you can use a text relay service or ask someone nearby to call for you. Your safety comes first.
Specialist support services
In the UK, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, often called a SARC, can help you without pressure to report to the police. They can offer medical care, emotional support, and forensic examination if you want it. Some centres can also arrange an independent sexual violence adviser, known as an ISVA.
An ISVA can explain your options, help you prepare for police contact, and support you through the process. They are independent and there to support you, not to judge you or make decisions for you. Rape Crisis centres may also offer confidential support and practical guidance.
How to report with someone beside you
You can ask a support person to help you contact the police by phone, online, or in person at a station. They can sit with you while you speak, help write down details, and stay with you afterwards. If you are worried about remembering everything, it is fine to take notes or read from a message.
When you first report, you do not need to say everything at once. You can explain that you feel unsafe and need support throughout the process. The police should take your report seriously and make reasonable adjustments where possible.
Other ways to get started
If speaking aloud feels too hard, you can begin by contacting a support service or writing down what happened. You might also save any messages, photos, locations, or names that could be relevant. Keeping evidence safe can help later if you decide to report.
If you want advice before taking any formal step, you can speak to Victim Support, a local sexual violence charity, or NHS services. They can explain what may happen next and help you think through your choices. You are allowed to move at your own pace.
Remember your choices
Reporting a sexual offence is your decision. You do not have to make it alone, and you do not have to decide everything immediately. Support is available whether you want to report now, later, or not at all.
If you need urgent emotional support, try a trusted person, a crisis line, or a local sexual violence service. If you are in danger, call 999. If you are not safe, getting support first is a sensible and valid first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your first steps are to make sure you are safe, seek medical help if needed, and write down or save any details you remember. You can contact the police, a sexual assault referral centre, or a support service. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you want support before speaking to police, you can speak to Rape Crisis, Victim Support, or a sexual assault referral centre.
You can ask to speak to an officer privately and request a support person, advocate, or interpreter if you want one. You do not have to have a friend or family member with you unless you choose to. You can also ask to make the report at a time and place that feels safer, including by phone, online, or through a specialist support service where available.
Yes. You can get medical help before reporting, and in many cases that is a good idea. A doctor or a sexual assault referral centre can treat injuries, offer emergency contraception, STI prevention, and help preserve forensic evidence if you may want to report later.
No, you do not have to report immediately. You can take time to get safe, seek support, and decide what feels right for you. If you think evidence may be lost, it can help to avoid washing clothes or bathing before speaking to a sexual assault referral centre, but your safety and wellbeing come first.
Keep any texts, messages, emails, call logs, social media posts, photos, and notes about what happened and when. If possible, store clothing or bedding in a paper bag, not a plastic one, and avoid washing items if you may want forensic testing. Do not worry if you do not have evidence, as your statement is still important.
You can call 101 for non-emergency police contact or 999 in an emergency. You can also attend a police station or use online reporting where available. If you feel unsafe contacting police alone, ask a trusted support service to help you prepare, or request that police meet you in a safer setting.
Yes, you can ask for a female officer or request an officer of a particular gender if that would help you feel safer. The police may not always be able to guarantee this immediately, but they should try to accommodate reasonable requests and explain your options.
You only need to say as much as you feel able to say. Start with the basic facts: what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved, and whether you need urgent medical help or feel unsafe. You can ask for breaks, use written notes, or have an advocate help you explain things.
Not always. Police may ask for an initial account first and a fuller statement later. You can ask for breaks, clarification, and support during the process. If you feel overwhelmed, tell them you need to pause and that you want a support person or advocate present.
You can seek advice anonymously from support services, but the police usually need your details to investigate a crime properly. Some services can help you understand your options before you decide whether to give your name. You can also ask the police about confidentiality and how your information will be used.
Support can include sexual assault referral centres, Rape Crisis, Victim Support, independent sexual violence advisers, and NHS services. These services can help you understand reporting options, attend appointments, and stay safe. They can often support you whether or not you choose to involve the police.
Yes, you can report a sexual offence even if it happened a long time ago. There is no general time limit for reporting most sexual offences in the UK. A historical report can still be taken seriously, and support services can help you prepare what to say.
After you report, the police may ask for more details, arrange an interview, collect evidence, and discuss safeguarding measures. They may also refer you to support services. You should be told about the next steps and who will be your contact person if possible.
You can tell the police you do not want to continue, and you can pause or stop engaging at any time. However, if an investigation has already started, the police may still be able to continue in some cases. A support service or advocate can help you understand the implications before you decide.
If you think you may be in danger, go to a safe place, contact someone you trust, and call 999 if needed. Save messages, avoid sharing details online, and consider blocking the alleged offender if that helps you feel safer. A support service can help you plan practical safety steps.
You do not usually need a lawyer to make a report. However, you may want legal advice later, especially if the case progresses or if there are related issues such as housing, employment, or immigration. Support services can help you find appropriate advice if needed.
Yes, you can still report. Being intoxicated does not remove your right to report a sexual offence. The police and support services should focus on your safety and what happened, not blame you for being under the influence.
It is common not to remember everything, especially after trauma. You can report the parts you do remember and say clearly what you are unsure about. It is okay to explain that your memory is incomplete, and the police can still take your report seriously.
A sexual assault referral centre can provide medical care, forensic examinations, emotional support, and help you understand reporting options. You can often attend without first making a police report. They can support you privately and help you decide what to do next.
If you feel scared, focus first on immediate safety and support. Contact a trusted person, a support service, or a sexual assault referral centre to talk through your options before approaching police. You can ask for special arrangements, such as a private appointment, a support advocate, or a female officer, to make the process feel safer.
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