Reporting rape and sexual assault that happened some time ago
You can report a sexual assault or rape that happened at any time to us, even if it was months, years or decades ago. We take every report seriously, no matter how much time has passed.
We understand that there are lots of reasons why someone might not feel ready to tell anyone about what has happened right away. We also know it's common for survivors to take time to realise that what has happened is a crime.
What happens after you report it
A specialist officer will arrange to visit you, to explain your options about making a formal complaint and what might happen in an investigation.
We'll do everything we can to gather evidence and build a case, no matter how long ago the crime took place.
We put your wishes at the centre of everything we do. If you decide that you don't want to be involved in an investigation, making a formal statement can still be helpful. Every report is valuable to us.
We'll support you throughout the process and will offer to refer you to specialist support.
More about what happens after you report rape or sexual assault (some of the advice on this page will only apply to recent incidents but many things will be the same).