If it happens to you

If you have been raped it is important that you get the support you need. Tell somebody that you trust what has happened. Write down everything you can remember including times, dates, places, people, what people said and wore - no matter how vague it may seem. Keep adding things as you remember them.

It may be that you only think you may have been raped. That may sound strange but the drugs used in drug-assisted rapes can take away your memory. If you wake up in a strange place, or even if you wake up in your own bed and your underwear is scattered around the room, if you have any physical evidence on your body, if you have sore genital areas, or bruising, you could have been subjected to a sexual assault.

You should report the attack to the police who will try to find the person who attacked you and bring them to justice, as well as making sure that you get all the support possible, from the police service and other specialists.

Even if the assault or rape happened years ago, the police will still investigate the crime against you, and can offer you access to specialist support services.

Knowing the person who raped you ("acquaintance rape") can be difficult because the person who has been raped sometimes blames herself/himself - they worry that they allowed the attack to happen because they shouldn't have been alone with the rapist, or accepted the spiked drink, or trusted the person in the first place. Or, they worry that they won't be taken seriously if they tell the police - especially if they had a sexual relationship with the person in the past. This is not the case - the victim is not to blame, and the police will always take reports of assault or rape seriously.

The police are also keen to point out that anybody who reports having been raped whilst under the effect of drugs will not be prosecuted for drug-taking.

Sexual assault and rape are serious crimes and the police will ALWAYS take your report seriously.

Reporting the attack to the police

  • Go straight to the police and report the attack. Ideally, forensic evidence should be taken within 48 hours, but it can still be collected many days later.
  • Try not to wash yourself or change your clothes, as you may be getting rid of vital forensic evidence.
  • Take a change of clothes with you, as the police may want to keep your clothing for evidence.
  • Even if you have washed, you can still report the crime to the police - take the clothes you were wearing when you were attacked with you.
  • You can ask a friend or relative to go to the police with you.
  • If you believe you have been the victim of drug-assisted rape, ask the police to take urine and blood samples immediately (the effects of drugs used in drug-assisted rape drugs wear off quickly).
  • With your permission, the police will arrange for you to be examined by a doctor who will look for forensic evidence, and see if you need treatment for any injuries. The doctor will have been specially trained for this type of examination.
  • The doctor can also offer help, advice, tests and, if necessary, treatments for sexually transmitted infections. If you are a woman the doctor will also talk to you about the possibility of having been made pregnant, and if wanted and appropriate will offer you emergency contraception (e.g. the "morning-after pill") and any other appropriate medical information or treatment.
  • You may be given a police officer 'chaperone' to look after you - the officer will have received special training to deal with this type of matter.
  • The police may need to take photographs of any cuts, bruises or injuries for evidence - police photographers are specially trained to respect your feelings.
  • The police are responsible for investigating the crime committed against you, and bringing your attacker to justice. They will ask you detailed questions about the assault. Although you may find it painful or embarrassing to talk about, it is important that you answer all questions and tell the police everything you can remember. Tell them anything you can about the attacker - what they looked or sounded like, what they were wearing, how old they were, etc, or even if you know who they are.
  • Your statement will then be written for you to sign. If you are under 18, the police may prefer to make a video of your statement, which might then be played in court.
  • It could be that you already know who assaulted you. However, if it was a stranger, the police can work with you in different ways to help you to identify them - techniques they may use include showing you photographs, creating a sketch, photo-fit or video-fit, or, if somebody is arrested, they may ask you to try to identify them in an identity parade.

Contacts

The contacts database contains details of organisations that may be able to offer information or assistance on this issue.
Search the database »

With thanks to Project Sapphire (MET Police) for assisting with this section.