Sheffield Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (SRASACS)

Reporting to the police

Sheffield police station 0114 2202020

Escafeld house (specialist sexual and rape assault unit) 0114 2570342

If you have made the decision to contact the police and report the incident then try to do this as soon as possible as this can assist in the police investigation.

Medical evidence ideally needs to be collected within 72 hours of the incident.

You should not wash your face, body, hair teeth or shower before you have had a Medical Examination. This can destroy vital evidence if you do decide to report the incident to the Police.

If you have brushed your teeth, there may still be traces of DNA, so keep the toothbrush in a sealed bag, in a cold place, until you can give it to the Police.

You should not wash any of the clothes that were worn; instead they should be sealed in a brown paper bag or if wet, in a plastic bag and kept in a cold place, a freezer if possible.

Any towels, bed sheets or blankets should also be sealed in a bag and kept in a cold place.

Any weapon used in the assault should also be kept and given to the Police.

You should gather any items that might have come into contact with the perpetrator, especially if the object has made contact with the mouth, such as a cup or glass. Again these should be stored in a sealed paper or plastic bag and kept in a cold place.

Be aware that the police may feel your credibility is lessened if you take any alcohol or drugs.

You have the right to have someone with you for support (a friend, relative or support worker).

If English is not your first language you can ask for an interpreter.

You have the right to see/ask for a female police officer and you have the right to be examined by a female doctor or your own GP (if she or he has been trained in forensic practice).

You have the right to leave the police station at any time.

We believe that every woman should be able to make her own decision about whether to report a sexual assault to the police or not.

It is also possible to report assaults that have taken place a while ago. The conviction rates for these reports are much lower due to lack of evidence but this should not deter you from reporting if this is what you would like to do.