Rape and sexual assault

Advice on how to report it and how we will help you

What to do if you have been raped or sexually assaulted

If you are in immediate danger or the assault has just happened call 999. To report an incident or for more advice, call Kent Police on 101. 

If you have been a victim of a rape or serious sexual assault:

• remind yourself you are not to blame. Nothing you have done can make a person rape or sexually assault you. You are not responsible for someone else’s actions.
• remember, there is no right or wrong way to respond to a sexual attack. Common feelings after rape or sexual assault include blaming yourself and feeling guilty, fearful, anxious, ashamed and angery. These are natural responses and usually reduce gradually over time. At Kent Police, we are aware of this and will support you.

How we will help you

Kent Police has officers specifically trained to help you through what has happened to you and who can offer advice and guidance. These officers work closely with support agencies and can refer you to their services so you can get the care and support you need.

It is your right to take the process at your own pace, stopping at any time you feel you need to. If at any time you don’t understand what is happening, please ask.

Medical examinations

Once you have reported the assault, we will ask you for a forensic examination so we can collect the evidence we'll need to build a case against your attacker.

A forensic examination is different to a normal doctor’s examination. The forensic doctor collects evidence by taking swabs from any areas of your body that the offender has assaulted, and documents any injuries.

The doctor does not check for any sexually transmitted infections (STI) at the time of the examination. They will be able to give you advice and answer any questions you have regarding STI and will help refer you for sexual health screening.

We will also look at the clothes you were wearing at the time of the asault and they may be sent away for examination. If the case goes to court, they will be kept as evidence until after the trial.

We may also ask you if we can photograph any injuries you have sustained.

This all provides evidence to help at court and any information given at the forensic examination can be used if your case goes to court.

Identifying your attacker

You may already know the person who attacked you. But if you don't, there are ways we can help you identify the offender.

If you are able to give a detailed description, it may be possible to create an image of the offender and publish an appeal.

You may have to try and pick out the attacker in an identity parade or there may be CCTV footage available.

Keeping you informed

You will be supported and guided through all stages of the process by a specially trained officer.

They will take a full statement from you and explain special measures that are available to you at court (i.e. use of a video link to provide your evidence to the court, closing the court to the public and media or use of privacy screens while you give your evidence in court.)

They will keep you informed about the progress of the investigation, for example when the offender is caught, arrested, charged.

Our officers can arrange for you to visit the court before your case goes to trial so you know the layout of the court before you give your evidence. They will introduce you to members of the witness support team who will be with you all the time you are at court as well.

If you do not understand any part of the process or why things are happening the way they are, please ask the officers to explain.