Sapphire

Index

1. Introduction
2. Our duty of care
3. The medical examination
4. Your health afterwards
5. How you can help the police investigate the crime
6. Identifying the person who attacked you
7. If there is a court case
8. Your 'impact statement'
9. How the attack might make you feel
10. Victim Support
11. Compensation
12. People who can help you

1. Introduction

This information has been provided in consultation with the Sexual Offences Consultative Group (Metropolitan Police Service) comprising representatives (male and female) from Victims Support Service, Rape Support Agencies, Community Safety Partnerships, Crown Prosecution Service, the medical profession and victims (survivors) together with the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Chief Constables' Council.

The police will help anyone who comes to then to say they have had sex against their wishes or been attacked by someone wanting sex.

Man or woman, young or old, you will get as much help as we can give you.

This booklet tells you how the police can help you if you have been sexually assaulted or abused, or if anyone you know has been assaulted in this way. It explains step by step what happens after you report the crime to the police, and what we (and the people and organisations we can put you in contact with) will do next.

Only you can decide if you want to report the attack to the police. And if you do we will try to find the person who attacked you and perhaps stop them from hurting anyone else. We can also make sure you get all the support possible, from the police service and other specialists. You can ask a friend or relative to go to the police with you - many people find it helps not to be alone.

As well as talking to you to find out what happened, we will ask a doctor to examine you. Your health and your feelings come first - both the police officer and the doctor will explain why they need to ask you questions or examine you. If anything doesn't seem to make sense, ask them to explain it again.

Sexual assault and sexual abuse are serious crimes, and we take them seriously. We mean to find whoever committed this serious crime against you and to bring them to justice. But as well as dealing with the crime, we also want to help you as much as we can.

[Go to index]

2. Our duty of care

If you have been sexually assaulted, whoever you are, we promise to:

• be kind, sensitive and polite;
• explain everything so you can be sure you understand what is happening; and
• make you as comfortable as possible.

The police officer who deals with your case will be someone who has built up an understanding of this kind of crime through experience. He or she will be discreet and tactful and will investigate the crime against you thoroughly.

You will also have the support of a 'chaperone' - a police officer to look after you. You can choose whether this should be a man or a woman. This officer has received special training to deal with this type of matter.

The 'chaperone' officer will:

• tell you as much as he or she can about what is happening and what we will be doing next;
• contact a support group, if you would like help from someone else;
• make a hospital appointment for you, if you want one;
• talk to your employer, if you want us to; and
• talk to you about being safe (and/or keeping your family safe) in the future, and possibly arrange to protect you if it seems that you might be in danger.

We will also arrange for you to see a doctor, who can give you help and advice about what effect a sexual assault might have had on your body - for example, if there is a danger of you having been made pregnant or of an infection being passed on to you through sex. The doctor will also be looking for evidence that can help track down the attacker - for example, DNA evidence.

If there is a prosecution against the person who attacked you (if they are caught and charged with the crime), we will pass on to you everything that the Crown Prosecution Service lets us know.

We will:

• tell you any developments in the case;
• tell you when the person who attacked you is to appear in court or be prosecuted, or, if they are released on bail, whether the bail conditions have any effect on you. For example, they may not be allowed to contact you or go to certain places where you go until the trial;
• give you as much advance warning as possible if you might have to appear in court as a witness or if the date of the trial is changed;
• if you want, arrange for you to make an 'impact statement'. This lets the court know (before they pass sentence) how the crime has affected you or your family; and
• tell you the results of the court case. Or, if the defendant appeals against their sentence, what happens next.

If you think that the care you are given by the police does not match up to the standards we have promised, contact your 'chaperone' officer or the Metropolitan Police Charterline on 020 7230 9100.

First steps

The police are responsible for investigating the crime committed against you. First, we will need to ask you some details:#

• Your name and address.
• When and where you were assaulted.
• 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 police officers on patrol can be looking out for them.

We understand that you may find it painful or embarrassing to talk about what happened, but it is important that you tell the police everything you can.

You will be able to talk in private at the police station and the officer you talk to will be specially trained. The police use special examination suites with a comfortable room to rest in, a medical examination room and a bathroom where you can have a bath or shower after the medical examination. Toiletries are provided and we will give you a change of clothes whenever possible.

If you have already had a wash or changed your clothes before going to the police, you should tell them. You should bring the clothes you were wearing when you were attacked with you.

Ask the police officers to explain any words they use or anything about the way they do things that isn't clear to you.

Use the space at the back of this booklet to write down the names and telephone numbers of the police officers (and anyone else) who are helping you. You will want to be able to talk to them if later on you remember anything that might be important or if you have any more questions.

[Go to index]

3. The medical examination

You will be asked to give your permission to being examined by a doctor. They will be looking for forensic evidence as well as to see if you need treatment for any injuries. They have been specially trained for this kind of examination. Above all, that means they understand that you need to be treated with care and sympathy. The doctor will usually see you in a special room for victims at the police station or in a hospital but sometimes it may be at their surgery.

The police will make every effort to respect any preference you might have as to the gender of the doctor who will see you. In most cases this will be a woman, but we will do our best to locate a male doctor for you, if you would prefer. If this is not possible we will discuss the alternatives with you. You will have everything about the examination explained to you first.

You will also be able to say if you would prefer a man or woman photographer if we have to take photographs of any cuts or bruises or injuries for evidence. Police photographers are specially trained to respect your feelings.

[Go to index]

4. Your health afterwards

Pregnancy

One of the very distressing things about sexual assault is that, if you are a woman, it might result in pregnancy. The doctor who examines you after your assault will talk to you about your fears and if wanted and appropriate will offer you what is known as the 'morning-after pill' and any other appropriate medical information or treatment.

If your period is late, it is best to have a pregnancy test. Stress, tension and worry can cause you have a late period, and this does happen sometimes to women who have been sexually assaulted, but it is best to seek medical help anyway. We will help you to arrange this if you want us to.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

For both men and women the possibility of sexually transmitted infections can be a worry if you have been assaulted. It is important for you to receive appropriate advice and treatment at the right time after an assault. The doctor will help you decide when is the right time and advise where it is best to go. The police officer supporting you will help you arrange an appointment with a special clinic.

[Go to index]

5. How you can help the police investigate the crime

After you have seen the doctor, you will need to talk to a police officer again. This will not be on the same day.

This time, they will want you to talk about the crime in as much detail as you can. Your statement will then be written for you to sign. This can take quite a long time and include some very detailed questions. You might find it upsetting to answer some of the officer's questions. Please remember how important your evidence is in helping the police find the person who attacked you and bringing them to justice.

If you get tired, tell the police officer. They will understand that it's better if you rest and try again later. They will ask if you want to rest after seeing the doctor and before you give your statement.

If you are 17 or younger, the police may prefer to make a video of your statement.

We will talk this through with you and the person who is supporting you. (One reason for this is that it may mean you don't have to go to court.)

[Go to index]

6. Identifying the person who attacked you

You may already know who assaulted you. However, if it was a stranger, the police can work with you in different ways to help you identify them:

• You may recognise their face in photographs the police show you.
• You may be able to describe them so that he police can create a sketch, photofit or videofit that you agree looks like the person who assaulted you.
• If someone is arrested, you may be asked if you can pick them out of an identity parade (a line of eight or more people). Whenever they can, the police will arrange for you to be able to see the people on the parade without your being seen by them.
• The police may be able to show you a video and ask if you can identify the attacker that way.

The police will go to where you were attacked as part of their investigation. We may have to take away something of yours - for example, some of your clothes or something the attacker left fingerprints on. We will ask your permission first. You may have to wait along time to get them back, because they may be needed as evidence in court. We will give you back everything used as evidence, if you want it.

If you have any worries about what is happening in the investigation, it is very important that you tell your 'chaperone' officer, investigating officer or support agency.

[Go to index]

7. If there is a court case

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and not the police - is responsible for prosecuting people charged with the crime of sexual assault.

A Crown Prosecutor makes the decision on whether or not the case goes to court. This decision is based on two tests (which are set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors).

The tests help CPS make a decision based on:

• Is there enough evidence for a 'realistic prospect of conviction'? The Crown Prosecutor must look at the evidence and decide if it is strong and reliable enough to be used in court. If they think there is not enough evidence, or it is not the right kind, the case cannot go to court, no matter how serious the crime is.
• Is it in the public interest for this case to go to court? If the crime is serious, the CPS will usually prosecute unless it would clearly not be in the public interest for them to do so. It is essential that any arguments against prosecuting clearly outweigh the reasons for.

The first stages of a court case will be 'heard' at a Magistrates' Court. You will not normally be asked to go to this hearing. The magistrates will decide if the case should go ahead and whether the defendant should be held or released on bail until the trial. The magistrates' decisions will also be based on the evidence. They may disagree with the CPS and decide that there is not enough evidence. If so, they will stop the case. But if they agree that there is enough evidence, they will send the case to the Crown Court.

At the Crown Court a judge and jury will hear the case. Barristers will speak for the prosecution (the CPS) and for the defendant (the person charged with the crime of assaulting you). After hearing all the evidence, the jury will decide if they believe the defendant committed the crime.

If the defendant pleads not guilty to the crime, you may have to go to the Crown Court and appear as a witness. If you are called as a witness, the two barristers will ask you questions in court. You will be a witness for the prosecution. You cannot talk to the barrister from the CPS about the case before you give your evidence -it could look as if you had been told what to say. The prosecution will usually ask for you to be allowed to leave the court as soon as you have answered both barristers' questions.

It is against the law for newspapers or television to use your name or give details that would make it clear who you are. They can, however, repeat whatever you said in your evidence apart from those personal details.

You can get help and support from the Crown Court Witness Service. They can arrange for you to visit the courtroom before the trial, which should help make going there less strange or off-putting.

If you are worried about your own or your family's safety, ask the police how we can help you.

Information about your case including the dates of the trial and the result will be passed by the CPS to the police so that we can keep you informed. If the CPS chooses not to go ahead with the case against your alleged attacker, every effort will be made to speak with you and explain that decision in advance. The final decision rests with the CPS.

If you are not sure about what is going to happen or what any of the things that happen in court might mean for you, ask the police officers or support agency who have been helping you to explain.

[Go to index]

8. Your 'impact statement'

If the court finds the person who assaulted you guilty, or if they plead guilty, you can let the court know how the attack has affected you, for example, how it has made you or your family feel. If you do want to make an 'impact statement', let the police know. An officer will take your statement before the court passes sentence.

[Go to index]

9. How the attack might make you feel

We all have our own feelings about everything that happens in our lives.

A sexual assault might change the way you feel for along time. You might feel frightened, ashamed or angry. You may have nightmares or not be able to sleep. You may not want to eat. You may go from good moods to bad moods in a minute. You might suddenly want to cry or get angry with people. You may feel guilty or that you are not worthwhile. You might find it hard to make your mind up about things. And you might find that you cannot stand anyone touching you, even if you love them.

You are not alone in feeling like this. A shocking experience can upset anyone in this way. It is not your fault that someone attacked you. And you don't have to cope with it on your own. You can talk privately to a trained counsellor who has helped other people deal with the same kind of feelings. They can offer you a safe place where you can talk about any worries and fears you might have.

People who are close to you might also need some help. They might need to speak to a counsellor to help them cope with the stress, and to give them the strength to support and comfort you.

[Go to index]

10. Victim Support

Helpline number: 0845 303 0900

Victim Support is an organisation with trained volunteers who will:

• help you with your feelings about being attacked.
• give you practical advice;
• go with you to the police station;
• tell you about other agencies offering support to survivors of sexual assault in your area;
• accompany you to court, in co-operation with the Crown Court Witness Service;
• help you to apply for financial compensation to the Criminal Injuries and Compensation Board; and give you any other help they can.

The police will contact Victim Support and ask them to get in touch with you and find out what help you may need.

[Go to index]

11. Compensation

If you have been sexually assaulted, you may be able to get financial compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. To be able to get help from them, you must have reported the attack to the police and you must have co-operated in the investigation, for example by giving evidence or trying to help the police identify a suspect.

To apply for compensation, you need to use the proper application form. You can get this from:

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
Morley House
26-30 Holborn Viaduct
London
EC1 A 2JQ

Telephone: 020 7842 6800

[Go to index]

12. People who can help you

You may be worried or feeling anxious and find it difficult to remember who you have seen for help and advice.

While the police are always ready to help you in any way possible, it may be useful to write down names and other details of all the people involved in your case.

Police officers investigating my case are

....................................................

Name and rank (eg Detective Constable)

at ....................................................

telephone number ....................................................

My crime reference number ....................................................

(The police will tell you this)

Police Station

My counsellor ....................................................

at ....................................................

(Name of organisation they work for)

telephone number ....................................................

My volunteer worker ....................................................

at ....................................................

(Name of organisation they work for)

telephone number ....................................

Appointments (eg for photographs, medical/STI tests)

The following appointment has been made for me:

Reason for appointment

....................................................

Where ....................................................

Date ....................................................

Time ....................................................

[Go to index]