Should I report what happened to me to the police?
Deciding whether to report a rape or sexual assault is a deeply personal choice – and there is no right or wrong answer.
At Treetops SARC, we understand that everyone processes trauma differently. Some people choose to report what happened to them right away, while others may need time- or may decide not to report at all. Whatever you decide, we are here to support you.
What is important is that you are in control of what happens next. We will never pressure you to decide before you are ready. Treetops SARC will let you know of all the options available to you. Treetops SARC can support you before, during, and after reporting to the Police. If you are unsure about making a report, we can help you understand what is involved so you can make an informed decision at your own pace.
How do I report to the Police
If you decide to report a rape or sexual assault, there are several ways to contact the police. You can;
• Call 999 if you are in immediate danger, are in an emergency or have very recently been raped and need urgent help
• Call 101 for non-emergency situations
• Visit a Police station where you can speak to someone in person
When you report to the police, the officer will take an initial account of what happened. This is to help them begin an investigation. You will be assigned an officer with specific training in supporting people who have experienced sexual assault and rape. Their role is to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and ensure you are treated sensitively and respectfully.
What if I don’t want to report?
At Treetops SARC, you can still access many of our services without involving the police. This includes emotional support and advocacy from our highly trained crisis workers. You can also have a forensic medical examination by one of our doctors or specialist nurses without making a police report right away. If you choose this option, we can securely store evidence in case you decide that you want to make a report to the police in the future. We can offer you advice on how to store any clothing or bedding.
We are here to support you - whatever you decide. Your safety, wellbeing and confidentiality are our top priorities. You remain in control of your choices at every stage.
If the sexual assault happened within the last 7 days?
If you have experienced a rape or sexual assault within the past seven days, our priority is making sure you are safe and supported, and that you receive any medical care you may need.
There may also be forensic evidence that could help in a police investigation. This evidence is best collected as soon as possible, ideally not too long after the incident happened.
If you are considering having forensic evidence collected, try to avoid the following if you can:
• Eating or drinking.
• Washing or showering.
• Brushing your teeth or hair.
• Changing your clothes.
• Using the toilet.
• Moving or cleaning anything from the place where the incident happened.
However, if you have already done any of these things, don’t worry - it may still be possible to collect valuable evidence.
The police may use an early evidence kit, which might involve taking a mouth swab and a urine sample. Once this is done, you can eat, drink, and use the toilet as normal.
A forensic medical examination may be discussed with you whilst you are with us at Treetops SARC. This will be discussed with you and completed by a specially trained doctor or nurse. The purpose of this examination is to examine your body to collect any evidence. This may include taking swabs of your skin and from around the body, taking photographs of any injuries and collecting clothing worn during or shortly after the assault. These items may then be sent off for further for examination. If a forensic medical examination is offered, your consent and dignity are essential to us, and nothing will happen without you agreeing to do so. Even after arriving and speaking with a doctor or nurse, remember, you can still say no at any time.
You do not have to involve the police to attend Treetops SARC. If you’re unsure about reporting the assault to the police but decide to protect physical evidence, you can contact Treetops SARC where evidence can be securely collected and stored, giving you time to decide on what’s right for you.
We are here to support you - whatever you choose, and whenever you are ready.
What if the sexual assault happened more than 7 days ago?
If the sexual assault happened more than seven days ago, please know that you are still able to access support, care, and justice.
There is no time limit for reporting a sexual assault. You can speak to the police at any time - whether the incident happened weeks, months, or even years ago. The police should take your report seriously and investigate it, regardless of how much time has passed.
While a forensic medical examination may no longer be appropriate after seven days, Treetops SARC and other support services are still here for you.
We can help with:
• Arranging sexual health checks and screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Offer pregnancy testing if appropriate.
• Referrals to specialist counselling and trauma-informed therapy.
• Connecting you with an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) for ongoing advocacy and guidance.
You do not have to go through this alone. Whether or not you choose to report to the police, we are here to help you take the next steps - at your own pace, in your own time.
What is a forensic medical examination?
A forensic medical examination is an option available to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. It involves collecting evidence that may help support a police investigation, and can also assess your health and wellbeing.
Depending on the type of assault, this examination is usually most effective within 48 hours to 7 days of the incident. However, everyone’s situation is different, and you are welcome to contact Treetops SARC at any time to discuss your options.
You do not have to report to the police to have an examination - we can store any evidence securely in case to report the sexual assault to the police later.
You are not alone
It is completely normal to feel nervous, anxious, or unsure about what to expect. Our crisis workers and medical professionals are here to support you every step of the way - with kindness, patience, and respect.
Whether you choose to go ahead with a forensic medical examination or not, your wellbeing comes first. We are here to help you understand your options and make the choices that feel right for you.
When you arrive at Treetops SARC, you will be welcomed by one of our specially trained crisis workers, who will stay with you throughout your visit if you wish. They will take you to a private, quiet lounge area where you can talk in confidence. You will never be rushed or pressured to talk about anything you are not ready to share.
We understand that you have been through a traumatic experience. Speaking about it, or even just attending an appointment, can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to listen, support, and empower you, whatever you decide.
If the rape or sexual assault happened within the past 7 days, a specially trained doctor or nurse may offer you a forensic medical examination and your appointment may last around 3 to 4 hours, depending on the care and support you need.
If you choose to go ahead with a forensic medical examination, you will be introduced to one of our sexual offence examiners—these are doctors or nurses with very specialist training in working with people who have experienced sexual assault.
They will:
- Ask about your general health and medical history.
- Discuss the assault in a sensitive and respectful way, only as much as you feel comfortable sharing.
- Explain any medical or forensic options available to you.
- Talk you through each part of the examination, step by step.
Remember, you are always in control. You can stop the process at any time, skip parts of the examination, or change your min- even after giving consent.
We move entirely at your pace, with your comfort as the top priority.
If you choose to have a medical examination, you are always in control. You can pause or stop this process at any time, and nothing will happen without your clear consent.
With your permission, a specially trained doctor or nurse will carry out a gentle head-to-toe check to look for any injuries, such as cuts or bruises. They will make careful notes about what they find, always explaining what they are doing and why.
If you agree, they may take swabs from your skin and the areas of your body involved in the assault. This might include your genital area. They may also ask if you are comfortable providing blood and urine samples, and with your consent, they may take photographs of any visible injuries.
A forensic medical examination may include:
- Taking swabs from different areas of the body.
- Collecting and documenting any visible injuries.
- Taking samples of your clothing, if relevant.
- Providing a pregnancy test, emergency contraception, or STI screening, if needed.
The examination is different from a routine medical check-up and is led by your choices. Nothing will be done without your clear, informed consent. Every examination is different, and we will only ask of you what is relevant for your specific circumstances.
You are in control!
Your consent is central to everything we do. You can stop the examination at any time, pause for a break, or choose not to continue. Nothing will happen without your permission.
With your consent, a Sexual Offence Examiner (SOE) - a specially trained doctor or nurse - will check your body from head to toe, looking for any visible injuries such as bruises, scratches, or cuts. They will take notes about what they see, with your agreement.
If you choose, the SOE may take samples using soft cotton swabs from your skin or areas involved in the assault, including genital areas. This is done as gently and respectfully as possible.
You may also be asked, with your consent, to provide blood or urine samples, or to allow photographs of any injuries.
All of these are used as evidence only if you decide to report to the police - either now or in the future. If you choose not to report, the evidence can still be stored for a time, giving you space to decide later.
Throughout the process, both the SOE and a crisis worker will be with you to explain what is happening, answer your questions, and make sure you feel supported.
If any evidence such as DNA samples or photographs are taken during your examination, they are handled with the utmost care and respect. Your personal information will be anonymised meaning everything is labelled anonymously and stored safely and securely.
If you have come to Treetops SARC with the police, the samples will be passed on to them. They may be sent for forensic testing - for example, to look for DNA or other evidence that could help an investigation. Any results from those tests are shared with the police, however not with Treetop SARC.
If you are not sure yet whether you want to involve the police, that is completely okay. With your consent, we can store your samples securely for up to two years or longer if you are under 21 years of age, while you take time to decide what’s right for you.
You will have the chance to talk through all of this with your crisis worker and our medical team. There is no pressure - we are here to support you and help you make the decisions that feel right for you.
If you decide that you never want to report the assault, you can contact us, and your samples will be destroyed.