Reporting a rape
Question
Im 16, and need to tell the police that I've been raped. How will they handle it?
Answer
Firstly, it clearly took a great deal of courage for you to admit what's happened. If possible, you need to draw upon this now in order to tell the police. You are the victim here, after all, and have nothing to be ashamed about, no matter under what circumstances this occurred. What's more, by speaking up you could prevent the person responsible from committing the same crime again. You'll find an outline of the police procedure below. Just be assured that you're doing the right thing, and should receive all the comfort, counselling and support you need.
In reporting this crime, the police will want to investigate, in order to identify and detain the person they believe to be responsible. If you visit the station more-or-less as soon as it has happened then you will be interviewed by specially-trained officers, usually female. The police doctor will also want to examine you. In many forces there will be special rooms set aside where you can wait to be examined and also talk things through with a trained officer. In view of your age they will also call your parents. This is because the police will be unable to either examine or interview you without having an appropriate adult present.
DNA can often help police identify the person responsible. To do so, they may well wish to collect a semen sample, and also a scraping from under your nails in case you scratched your assailant. They will also request the clothes you were wearing at the time of the rape - again to try and find any of his DNA.
As for your account of what happened, the police will ask for a description and a name, if you know it. If you were driven in a car they will want to know what kind of car it was, the colour, the registration number. It really is worth giving them as many details as you can.
Due to the trauma of what they've been through, many rape victims only go to the police some days after it happened. As a result, they will have bathed and may have washed or even burned the clothes they were wearing at the time. This can mean that there is no DNA available. Even so, your report will still be treated seriously.
You can find your local police station by visiting the UK Police Service website. Should you wish to seek additional advice, support and counselling, Rape Crisis provide comprehensive details of services in your area.
Good answer? Bad info? Want to tell us what you think? We'd really like to hear what you've got to say about this answer so please click here to take the survey. Your feedback is confidential and as anonymous as you like.
Question answered by CAB
Print this page Email this page to a friend Add to favourites
