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December 6, 2023 Dec 06, 2023 8 min read

Reporting Rape or Sexual Assault (What to Expect)

Highlights

  • The reporting process begins when a victim contacts the police, either over the phone or by visiting a police station in person (in some cases, a victim may also report at the hospital during a rape kit exam)
  • To create an official report, a police officer gathers basic personal information and an account of the assault from the victim
  • Most police officers are not specially trained to work with victims of sexual assault, and victims are often subjected to insensitive lines of questioning as a result
  • Once a report is made, an investigator will determine the case’s viability and follow up with the victim for further questioning or interviews if necessary
  • While the majority of reported sexual assault cases do not lead to criminal proceedings, a report and investigation could lead to arrest, prosecution, or sentencing of a perpetrator

The decision to report rape or sexual assault to law enforcement isn’t an easy one, especially when you’re not sure what to expect from the process. Some might find that these uncertainties can even hold them back from reporting at all.

 

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you better understand the process of reporting rape or assault so that you can effectively prepare.

 

What Happens When Reporting Rape / Sexual Assault?

Before we dive into the details of the reporting process, it’s important to note that most victims of sexual assault find the process of reporting emotionally distressing. In some cases, it can even feel re-traumatizing.

 

For this reason, we recommend bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you for emotional support and comfort. If needed, you may also be able to request the presence of an advocate from your local crisis centre or advocacy organization.

 

To connect with an advocate to accompany you during the reporting process, search for “Advocacy / Accompaniment” services using the Go Thrive Go search tool.

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Contacting the police

To begin the process of reporting an assault to the authorities, call or visit your local police station directly. You can do this on your own, with the help of a friend, or with the help of a trained advocate as mentioned above.

 

If you would prefer to report over the phone, it’s best to call the non-emergency number associated with your local police station, as 911 is generally reserved for emergency calls only. If you cannot locate the non-emergency number for your local authorities, it’s okay to call 911 instead.

 

If you are in a crisis situation and need immediate assistance in the wake of a sexual assault, call 911 or the equivalent emergency number in your area.

 

In some cases, a victim might be given the opportunity to report their assault during a sexual assault forensic exam (rape kit exam) at the hospital. If a victim chooses to take this route, a police officer will be called to the hospital to take the report from the victim in person. For more information about rape kit exams, check out our article “What is a Rape Kit?”

Gathering of personal information

After letting someone at the police station know that you would like to report a sexual assault, you will be asked to provide some basic personal information, such as your name, phone number, date of birth, and address. If you do not have a phone number or mailing address, provide as much personal information as you’re able to. This will allow the police to create a file for you and contact you in the future if need be.

 

Generally speaking, personal information is required for filing police reports. However, anonymous reporting may be allowed in certain places.

Creating a police report

Once the authorities have your basic information, they will ask you to provide an account of what happened so that they can create a report. This process will most likely begin with you telling your story in your own words. After that, you will be asked follow-up questions if the officer needs more information.

 

There is unfortunately no way to know exactly what questions you will be asked, as this is up to the discretion of the officer.

A Note on Police Training and Bias

It’s important to note that the police officer creating your report will not necessarily be specially trained in working with victims of sexual assault and rape. As a result, many victims find that the process of reporting an assault to the police can feel emotionally jarring, as the officer might ask questions that could feel accusatory or even irrelevant.

 

For example, police officers are known for asking victims about drug and alcohol use, what they were wearing during the assault, or even about unrelated sexual history. It’s unfortunately a known problem for sexual assault victims to be disbelieved by police officers or even to be persuaded into changing their stories during the reporting process.

 

Be aware before reporting that there is no guarantee that the police officer you speak to will believe you or be on your side. Stick to what you know is true and remember that you are not at fault for what happened to you regardless of what anyone else might say or imply.

Medical assistance and/or forensic exam (rape kit)

While this is not technically part of the reporting process, you will most likely be asked whether you need medical assistance as a result of your assault. You will also be asked to complete what is called a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE), otherwise known as a rape kit exam, which is used to gather evidence about the perpetrator. If you have not already completed one of these exams, you will likely be asked to visit a local hospital to do so.

 

If you are in need of immediate emergency medical attention, the police can assist you with accessing care.

Determination of case viability

After a report has been made, a detective will review the information gathered to determine whether your case is viable. In some instances, an investigator might determine that there is too little evidence or information for the case to be worth pursuing.

 

Most reports of sexual assault or rape lead to an initial investigation, although most investigations do not lead to arrest or prosecution.

Investigation

If your report is deemed viable for investigation, your case will be assigned to a detective or investigation team. These investigators will most likely contact you directly for follow-up interviews, further questioning, or relevant updates as your case unfolds.

What Happens Next?

The vast majority of sexual assault investigations do not result in arrest. This unfortunately means that your case will most likely be dropped at some point by investigators.

 

However, if your case is among the approximately 20% of reported sexual assault and rape cases that do lead to arrest, you will enter into the criminal proceeding process. This could involve court appearances, offering testimony, working with an attorney, and potentially the prosecution and/or sentencing of the perpetrator.

 

When deciding to report, it’s important to be aware that you may be expected to participate in the entire length of the criminal proceeding, all the way to sentencing if the case goes that far. Of course, victims can choose to drop a case early on in the investigation, but once charges are filed with the prosecutor, the victim will no longer have that option.

 

Criminal sexual assault cases typically last for several years, involve numerous court appearances, and often require victim testimony. Although the vast majority of reported sexual assault cases do not lead to criminal trials, criminal sexual assault trials often receive news coverage and maintaining privacy for the victim can be challenging.

 

While none of this information is meant to dissuade anyone from reporting their assault to the police, it’s important to be aware of what the process entails.

Conclusion

Reporting sexual assault to the authorities is an intimidating process. Victims are not only expected to share in detail about a vulnerable and traumatic experience, but they’re also often faced with insensitive or even accusatory questions from officers and investigators. But while reporting sexual assault is certainly not something to look forward to, knowing what to expect can help victims feel more empowered to approach this important step.

Summary :

Reporting a sexual assault begins with contacting or visiting your local law enforcement office. A police officer will take your initial report by gathering basic personal information and a detailed account of what happened. Victims are often asked follow-up questions during this process that can feel triggering or difficult to answer. Once an initial report is made, a victim will also be asked to complete a sexual assault forensic exam to provide potential DNA evidence to the investigation. If the report and evidence kit lead to an investigation, the victim will be asked to submit to further questioning as the case unfolds. While the majority of reported rape and sexual assault cases do not lead to criminal proceedings, the act of reporting can result in the arrest or prosecution of a perpetrator. Victims who report sexual assault to the police should be aware that if their case results in a criminal trial proceeding, this process can last for several years and involve a challenging, public-facing role for the victim.

Author Bio :

Dana Anastasia (they/them) is an independent writer, editor, podcaster, and artist. With a degree in interdisciplinary sociology and a background in domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy, Dana brings a keen awareness of victim and survivor needs and experiences to their work.

Resources

 

Edmonton Police Service – https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CommunityPolicing/PersonalPropertyCrimes/SexualAssault/ReportingSexualAssault

 

Durham Rape Crisis Centre – https://drcc.ca/questions/long-press-charges/

 

SexualAssaultHelp.org – https://sexualassaulthelp.org/reporting-options/#fullreport

 

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation – https://www.caase.org/what-happens-report-sexual-assault-to-police/ 

 

“Why Do So Few Rape Cases End in Arrest?” University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2019 – https://www.uml.edu/news/stories/2019/sexual_assault_research.aspx 

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