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Why report?

"If I wanted him to stop doing it to another woman, I had to fight, but it’s a difficult process. It’s a difficult process and you often want to give up because it’s very traumatic." - Charlene Smith, journalist and survivor of sexual assault

There are a number of reasons for reporting a sexual offence to the police and for doing so as soon after the attack as possible:

• There is a better chance of the police catching the offender if they are called as soon as possible.
• You may need protection or may need to recover possessions.
• The offender should be stopped from repeating the incident.
• If you want to make an insurance claim or a claim for criminal injuries compensation, you should report to the police.
• In many countries, there is a duty under law for specific people, such as teachers, to report their suspicions of sexual abuse of a child. (If you are unsure what your legal responsibility might be in a situation, you could call an appropriate agency or person for advice, e.g. insurance company, lawyer, social services.)