Factsheet: Reporting Sexual Assault to Police

Reporting sexual assault to police can be difficult and stressful. This factsheet sets out some tips to ensure you are safe, supported and effective when you report a sexual assault.

If you have been the victim of sexual assault and would like to report it to police:

1. Keep any clothes you were wearing and place them in a sealed bag. Do not shower. Go to your nearest hospital so that any forensic evidence can be preserved
2. Contact police and make an appointment to speak to a detective
3. Take a support person with you
4. When you arrive at the police station, ask for a private room to make your report
5. Speak to police about an Apprehended Violence Order and any other tools available to help make you feel safe
6. Request an officer of a specific gender (if you prefer)
7. Give police any physical evidence (such as clothes) and copies of any relevant documents (keep any originals)
8. Ask for a copy of any statement that you make
9. Ask for the Event number, write it down and keep it somewhere safe
10. Obtain the name and contact details of the officer who helped you make your report
11. Ask that police explain what will happen next.
12. Ask that police update you frequently about the investigation.

Remember that it is up to you whether you report to police. You are not required to do so. If you aren’t ready to report to police, you can:

1. Report informally using the online Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO). Information regarding reporting can be found here.
2. Report to a doctor, counsellor or sexual assault service.

Women’s Legal Centre NSW has published a detailed factsheet about sexual assault, including the process of reporting and investigation. You can find the factsheet here:

Published on 22 March 2022. Produced by Redfern Legal Centre.
This factsheet is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have a problem, please contact Redfern Legal Centre at www.rlc.org.au/contact or phone 02 9698 7277.