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The Solace Unit

Leicestershire Constabulary's Solace Unit is a dedicated unit dealing with victims of rape and serious sexual assaults, providing support and care to assist the victim

Our Aim

  • To help anyone who discloses that they have been a victim of rape or serious sexual assault
  • To look after the victims needs from initial contact, providing information, support and updating any developments throughout the  investigation including a court trail and aftercare support
  • To be sensitive and polite, we won't judge or patronise
  • To explain everything so that the victim can be sure they understand what is happening throughout

To increase the confidence of members of the public to report sexual crime. 

The Solace officer will

  • tell you as much as he or she can about what is happening and what we will be doing next;
  • contact a support group, if you would like help from someone else;
  • make a medical appointment for you, if you want one;
  • talk to your employer, if you want us to; and
  • talk to you about being safe (and/or keeping your family safe) in the future, and possibly arrange to protect you if it seems that you might be in danger.

We will also arrange for you to see a doctor, who can give you help and advice about what effect a sexual assault might have had on your body - for example, if there is a danger of you having been made pregnant or of an infection being passed on to you through sex. The doctor may also look for evidence that can help track down the attacker - for example, DNA evidence.

If there is a prosecution against the person who attacked you (if they are caught and charged with the crime), we will pass on to you everything that the Crown Prosecution Service lets us know.

We will

  • tell you any developments in the case;
  • tell you when the person who attacked you is to appear in court or be prosecuted, or, if they are released on bail, whether the bail conditions have any effect on you. For example, they may not be allowed to contact you or go to certain places where you go until the trial;
  • give you as much advance warning as possible if you might have to appear in court as a witness or if the date of the trial is changed;
  • if you want, arrange for you to make an 'victim personal statement. This lets the court know (before they pass sentence) how the crime has affected you or your family; and
  • tell you the results of the court case. Or, if the defendant appeals against their sentence, what happens next.