Need to report an Emergency?

First thing first, find a safe place.  If you are in danger (or know someone who is in danger) please call 999 and ask for the Police.  If you are injured (or know someone who is injured), please also request an ambulance.  TELL THE OPERATOR THAT IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

If you can, please....

• Do not wash
• Do not brush your teeth
• Do not have a cigarette
• Do not eat or drink
• Do not change your clothes (or keep them safely to one side)
• Try not go to the toilet and do not dispose of any sanitary wear
• Do not clear up anything from the area of the incident.

Contacting the Police

You can either report to a police station or phone the police where they we will arrange for an officer to come and talk to you. You can have a friend or family member present when you meet the police.

You can choose whether to speak to a male or female sexual offences liaison officer (SOLO), who will be your single point of contact with the police. They will keep you updated about the investigation.

They will ask you the following initial questions:

• Your name and address.
• When and where you were assaulted.
• What happened to you
• Whatever you can tell us 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. We want to be able to pass on a description so that our police officers on patrol can be looking out for them.

We realise it might be difficult or embarrassing to talk about what has happened, but it is important that you tell us everything you can remember. If you don’t understand any words the police use, or what they are telling you, please ask them to try and explain it to you in a different way. We will endeavour to treat you with sensitivity and respect.

When you report to the police, the police will want the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. You will need to tell the police where this clothing is, and an officer will advise you of the best action to take.

Medical examination:

You may be asked to give your permission to being examined by a doctor.  This is to retrieve vital DNA evidence after the assault.  Please click here for further information about Forensic Medical Examinations.

Police interview:

Don't worry about this right now.  The most important thing is to make sure you are safe and well.   You may be asked to provide an interveiw but your SOLO officer will make sure that you have had a comfortable nights' sleep before being asked to return.  The officer will understand that the interview is likely to be difficult for you. They should understand that you may need to take things slowly and take time to prepare emotionally.   It is in everybody’s interests that you are as comfortable as possible during any interview, otherwise your account may suffer by missing important details. Your specialist officer will be trained to make sure you are treated tactfully and sensitively during this time and any subsequent interview.