Deciding not to take criminal action/Not to report to the police

Home: Survivors: For Teenagers: Reporting an assault

For some victim/survivors, the decision not to formally report to the police is a legitimate one based on prior knowledge or experience of the legal system, a fear for their safety, or advice by others not to report. Some of the concerns associated with not reporting may be allayed through the provision of accurate information about the process, support and advocacy through it. Ultimately, the decision as to whether to report or not, lies in the hands of the victim/survivor.

There are other options available which may perform a role similar to that of reporting, but without losing control over the process. These options include;

• notifying the police in order to make them aware of the assault, and provide information about an offender or an offence;
• notifying the police of the offence so that information may be recorded in order that the victim/survivor can make a full statement in the future;
• making a full statement to the police and concluding this statement with a statement of 'No Further Police Action' (while bearing in mind that police acceptance of this statement is reliant upon the considerations outlined above).

Sponsor

SECASA

Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 25 Sep 2009