Crime reduction 

How do I report and what can I expect?

Allegations of serious sexual assault can be made in a variety of ways and at different locations.

Regardless of how, where, or when these matters are reported, they will be dealt with by a specialist officer in a professional and compassionate manner, having due regard to the needs of the victim.

How do I report a sexual assault?

A report can be made to the police in any of the following ways:

• In an emergency, call 999. It is an emergency when: a crime is in progress, there is a danger to life or property, or you feel in danger or threatened.
• Call 101, the 24-hour Thames Valley Police non-emergency number.
• If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, call Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555 111.
• Attend one of the Thames Valley police stations within its opening hours.
• Via a third party report (reporting to the police on behalf of the victim).

When a victim makes an allegation of this type to the police, an initial account will be taken from the person receiving the report. This will decide the officer’s response, the immediacy of the complaint, and the most appropriate course of action.

There is no time limit for investigating and prosecuting these crimes. If you wish to report a sexual assault that occurred in the past, you can do so at any time. A delay in reporting should not affect either the police response or the quality of the investigation.

Victims will be dealt with either by a Specially Trained Officer or the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, depending on their age. Specially Trained Officers deal with adult victims only – age 18 and over. If the victim is younger, this will be dealt with by the Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

What can I expect?

• The initial report will be taken by appropriately-trained staff.
• The police response will be determined by the circumstances reported.
• A police officer will attend and speak to you to gain further information and assess your needs. This will direct the course of the investigation.
• The criminal justice process will be explained to you.
• The police will explain about forensic medicals and how you may provide a statement to police. These form part of the early stages of an investigation.