Reporting tips

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If you decide to make a report to the police here's some tips:

• If you don't feel like going it alone, contact RhED or a friend to go with you. You also have a right to request an interpreter.
• When you make a report to the Police (SOCA Unit) you have a choice to make a 'statement' or a 'statement of no further action'. If you make a statement the Police will ask you to take them through every detail of the assault in order to get as much evidence as possible so they can charge the person.
  If you make a statement of 'no further action' it means you want the Police to know what happened but not to investigate the assault. You still have to say as much as you can remember about the assault. If you make a statement of 'no further action' the Police are entitled to ignore the fact that you don't want the assault investigated and they can go ahead anyway.
• Making a statement can take a long time. It can also be distressing to talk and think about the assault. Try and organise your personal needs so that you have the time and focus to make a statement. You can stop making the statement at any time and have a rest. Also you can take a friend along for support. If you can't make a statement at the time of reporting, be clear about when you can be available and try to follow through.
• A Detective in the area in which the offence took place will follow up the complaint. Make sure you are told the name and number of the investigating Detective. Stay in touch with the investigating Detective and let them know how you can be contacted - "no further action" is sometimes the end result if the police can't find you.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 24 Sep 2009