Russia: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault is always wrong – no matter who commits it or where it happens. It is traumatic and it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Do not be afraid to get help.

This information is provided to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions about whether and how to to:

• seek medical advice and attention; attention
• report to localthe police; and police
• engage with foreign legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault overseas.overseas

For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK

First steps

It is your choice about what you do next, but this information may help you in coming to a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be. You can:

• contact the emergency number on 112. Please note that the operators may not speak English and you may need help from a Russian speaker.112
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact the nearest British embassyEmbassy or consulateMoscow. on +7 495 956 7200 (Option 1 for English then Option 2 for consular services) 24/7. Embassy staff will be polite,empathetic, patient, sensitive and non-judgmental, and can provide information on local police and medical procedures. Anything you tell them will be treated in the strictest confidence. They can contact your family or friends for you if you wish.wish

If you want to report the incident to the police in Russia

• Ifif you have a tour operator, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you. If you do not have a tour operator and you are in an area where there is a British embassy or consulate, they will try to send a consular officer to support you.

  Ifyou, youwhere approachtiming theand policelocation directly,allow. youYou canwill alsoalways askbe themable to informspeak to trained consular staff on the nearesttelephone British+7 Embassy495 or956 consulate.7200 Most(Option police1 officersfor speakEnglish Russianthen only.Option If2 for consular services) 24/7

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• Ifif you choose to report the crime, try to do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained. Washing yourself or your clothes may make it difficult for the police to obtain forensic evidence.evidence

• if If you change your clothes, think about taking those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.texts and social media messages

• Telltell the police if you think you have been drugged.drugged

• insist Insist you get a policecopy report.of your incident report and a confirmation that your report has been received and registered and request a translation in English if applicable

• Extramaritalextramarital sex or homosexuality is not a crime in Russia; howeverhowever, you may be prosecuted for any activity that could be seen as promoting homosexuality. Drinking in public places other than in licensed facilities or drug taking is an administrative offence in Russia. A crime committed under the propagandainfluence of homosexualityalcohol isor pursueddrugs bycarries Russiana law.harsher punishment

• Whenwhen you file your report, there is no guarantee that a police officer of a preferred gender will be available or that you will be given somewhere private to speak. Most police officers speak Russian only. If you do not speak Russian, you need to be accompanied by someone who speaks both Russian and English or by an interpreter. In Russia, you have the right to request a state paid interpreter. However, the quality of a state-paid interpreter’s services cannot be guaranteed. Investigations are not judge led.

• Ifif a crime has been committed against a minor, all actions (interaction with police, etc.) are to be taken by the legal representative of the child (a parent, a guardian, etc.).etc)

• Whilewhile you are at the police station, a member of the Consularconsular Teamstaff can accompany you; we can offer information on investigation procedures, advice for seeking medical help and links to victim support groups. We can also be in contact with your friends or family should you request it. We will not be able to act as interpreters,interpreters. though. You will not be required to surrendergive up your passport.passport

• normally, a lawyer is not assigned to a victim. If you want legal representation, you should instruct your own lawyer. If you are under 16 years old and a criminal investigation is launched based on your report, you have a right to request a state-paid lawyer to represent you

If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Russia

• Thethe British Embassyembassy or consulate will be able to help you. This includes helping you make arrangements to contact your insurance company, your family, make arrangements to travel back to the UK and/or provide you with information on local support in the UK.UK

• they They can provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities,facilities, lawyers and translators. Iftranslators

• if you are ontravelling anwith arrangedone, tour, you can also report the incident to your tour operator and ask them for assistance. WhereIf possible and if you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the local hospital.

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• it evidenceis mayyour bechoice lost.whether You have to report the crimecrime. inIf countryyou fordon’t report it towithin be72 investigatedhours, andinvestigators tomay befind entitledit todifficult forensic examination, which has to becollect doneand notsecure moreevidence thanof 72the hours after receiving injuries.crime

• Ifif you choose not to report it, you will still be able to get medical attention and you should either call the ambulance (112/103 from a mobile or 03 from a landline) if you have severe injuries or go to the nearest hospital / emergency room (‘travmpunkt’) and inform them of what has happened so they can takeperform the appropriate tests and document all injuries you have sustained. However, please be aware the police may still be involved as doctors are legally required to report any physical injuries that may have been inflicted as a result of unlawful action.action

If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK

• Itthe issupport possibleavailable to you and your access to justice may vary according to where you report the crime. Generally, in Russia you need to report the crime before you leave the country, if you want it to be investigated and police to obtain important evidence. In Russia, a case of rape and sexual assault may be investigated only upon complaint of a victim. While you can post your incident report to Russian authorities from abroad, your physical presence in Russia is required to collect evidence and proceed with the UK.investigation. Russian authorities may be reluctant to interrogate a victim based overseas by videolink

• if you are staying in the country where the crime took place, you should report the crime in that country. If you are a British national and you need help to report the crime, you can contact the nearest British embassy or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London

• if you do not report the crime in the country where it happened and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police

• the UK police should send the information you provide to the country where the crime happened. However, it is for foreign police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction.jurisdiction and they may not take action

• you can report the crime to the UK police forceseven cannotif investigateyou crimesare committednot overseas.seeking Foreignan policeinvestigation forcesabroad. The UK police can decideoffer you access to requestvictim assistancesupport fromin the UKUK. police,They butmay thisstill cannotsend besome guaranteeddetails andof isthe acrime veryto lengthypolice process.in Itthe cancountry thereforewhere it happened. This might be verynecessary difficultin order to guaranteeprotect thatvulnerable anypeople, justiceor canto bestop accessedmore withoutcrimes reportingbeing committed

Reporting the crime locally.in PleaseRussia: seewhat Rapehappens andnext

• if Sexualyou Assault:choose Returning to report the UKcrime, aftertry rapeto do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained. Washing yourself or sexualyour assaultclothes abroadmay make it difficult for morethe information.police or investigating officer to obtain forensic evidence

  Reporting

• if you change your clothes, think about taking those you were wearing to the crimepolice inor Russiathe -investigative whatcommittee. happensYou next? may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts and social media messages

• Thetell the police or investigating officer if you think you have been drugged

• insist you get a copy of your incident report and a confirmation that your report has been received and registered, and request a translation in English if applicable

• the police or investigating officer will ask you to make a statement about the incident including a description of your attacker(s). They are unlikely to speak English so you would need to be accompanied by someone who speaks both English and Russian, or an interpreter.interpreter. If you are accompanied by theconsular British embassy, consulate or high commission staff, they will not be able to act as interpreters.interpreters

• Thethe police or investigating authority will keep any clothes, which may be evidence of your attack to present to a forensic examiner. They can also retain your electronic equipment if there are grounds for that (evidence, investigative action)

• Thethe police or investigating officer will send you, or take you if they have the available personnel, to thea local Russian centre of forensic medical expertise. Without this step, taking the matter to court is not possible. These hospitals might not be immediately accessible as they are located in major cities

• the local authorities in Russia will not inform the UK police and do not ask the UK police to undertake checks on you

The medical examinationexamination: – what to expect

• Mostmost hospitals and medical centres treat victims of rape and sexual assault. If anyone goes to the hospital with any physical injuries, which could have been sustained as a result of a criminal action, doctors are responsibleobliged, by Russian lawlaw, to report it to the police. PleaseForensic note that forensic evidence is collected only at a specific facility and only when referred by police.the police or investigating officer

• Whenwhen visiting a hospital, it is important that you tell the doctor about what has happened so they can make a proper examination. The respective medical record will include the diagnosis, the doctor’s name, date of examination, your name, the offender’s name (if known), and a list of injuries sustained. It is not recommended to eat or drink before the medical examination. The examination may include oral swabs, vaginal smear or colonoscopy, and other tests for tracing sweat and grease deposits, DNA, etc. as well as assessing possible damageinjuries to your body from the assault. After that, the doctor will refer you for HIV and other STD testing. Inform the doctor of yourany psychological issues caused by the crime.crime

• Ifif you have reported the crime to police,the youpolice canor skip the hospitalinvestigative andcommittee, you will undergo a forensic examination instead upon thetheir police referral. The forensic report is especially important when seeking legal redress, including payment of moral and material damages. With this report, the offender can receive a just punishment.punishment

• the forensic examination includes external review of injuries, bruises, broken bones, twists, skin abrasions and tearing of soft tissues. For women, this should be followed by the obstetrical-gynaecological examination of genitals, vaginal smear, HIV and other STD testing, and pregnancy testing for women. For men, the forensic examination includes anal and rectal examination, swabs and colonoscopy. Male or female member of the medical staff may be present during the examination. Photographs or drawings of your injuries may be taken

• consular staff can accompany you to the hospital, depending on the location and timing

Treatment

• Ifif it is possible you may have been exposed to HIV, you should go to aa local local Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS or urgently see an infectious disease doctor to take an HIV test and obtain HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP),(PEP). This is a treatment that may stop HIV from replicating in the body by using a combination of antiretrovirals and so prevent the virus from attacking the immune system. system

• HIV PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to commence or continue the 28-day treatment on return to the UK. More information on risks is available on the the NHS website.

• HIV PEP medication may be purchased either from a pharmacy or from a local Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS. However, it may not always be available especially outside cities. In Russia antiretroviralanti-retroviral treatment is provided free of charge only to HIV positive patients.

• Itit is also important to undergo treatmenttesting for STDs and dotreatment repeatfor tests later.STDs

• Emergencyemergency contraception can be purchased from a pharmacy at your own cost with no prescription or medical referral. It needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. Women should also take a repeat pregnancy test in2 two weeks after the incident.incident

• Hospitalhospital treatment and tests are covered either at your own cost or by your medical insurance. Ifinsurance

• if you have had medication administered overseas, you mayshould wish to keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication, so that you let your local health provider know when you return home.home

PoliceCriminal investigations in RussiaRussia: – what to expect

• Uponwhen the crime is first reported, you will communicate with the law-enforcement authority where you filed the complaint. It could be the police or the investigative committee. Once the investigation is underway, the investigative committee investigator takes over and communication will be with them during the investigation, and if the case goes to trial – with the Public Prosecutor during the trial. A lawyer may facilitate the communication between the authorities and you, and they should have access to the case notes. You need to check with your lawyer if they are able to offer their initial service pro bono and check the cost of their ongoing service

• upon your report, the investigator may initiate a criminal case within 1030 days. The preliminary investigation may last up to 2 months from the day of its opening and may be extended for up to 612 months orand upeven tofurther 12 months depending on the complexity of the case and the severity of the crime.

• Ifif you know the offender’s whereabouts and would like to cooperate, the police or investigating officer may take you to this place in order to try to identify and arrest the offender. If a suspect is brought to the police station, you may be asked to make an identification. If you have left Russia before the suspect was apprehended, you may be able to make identification via video link.link

• Ifif a suspect is unknown, you can ask the police or investigating officer to show you a photo basedatabase of registered sex offendersoffenders, to check the system of public video surveillance and / or insist on constructing a facial composite of their face. If you have injured the offender, pleaseyou should inform the police.police or investigating officer

• Withinwithin 48 hours afterof the suspect’s detention, policethe transferofficer thein casecharge throughshall transfer the Publiccase Prosecutor to court to obtain permission to keep the suspect in detention. The judge shall take one of the following decisions:

  • applyto pre-trialkeep detentionthe assuspect a measure of restraint in respect of the accused

    custody

  • dismiss the request for detention. The suspect or the accused may be released on bailbail, / placed under house arrest /or released on a travel restriction order.

    order, or on prohibition to take certain actions

  • adjournpostpone the examination of the request for up to 72 hours so that the requesting party can produce additional evidence in support of the request

• upon completion of the preliminary investigation, the investigator makes a decision to submit the case to court or to close the case

• there is no state-funded compensation to cover physical or psychological injuries incurred from a violent crime in Russia. Under Russian law, you have a right to state-funded legal representation in relation to the investigation of sexual crimes if you are under 16 years old. There is no legal aid in Russia

Court proceduresprocedures: – what to expect

• Ifhiring a suspectbi-lingual islawyer orderedwill help you gain timely insights into the ongoing case, ensure representation of your interests and rights in court, and timely and proper appeals. A list of English-speaking lawyers in Russia is available. Consular staff do not have access to alegal expertise and cannot give legal advice

• if the case is sent to trial, you will usuallynormally be expected to testify in court in person. If the case is referred for further investigation, you may be asked to give an additional statement.statement. A A lawyer can advise you on this further and explain the procedure for possible reimbursement of your travel expenses.expenses

• Thethe preliminary hearing is scheduled within thirty days after a competent judge receives the case materials. If the suspect is already in detention,custody, the maximum period is fourteen days. Based on resultsthe outcomes of the preliminary hearing, the judge may return the case to the prosecutor.prosecutor

• Depending on a criminal case, an unlimited number of hearings may take place, before the court reaches a verdict. The verdict becomes final if it has not been appealed within 10 days after it was read.delivered. The length of the judicial process also depends on the availability of parties and the number of appeals.appeals

• if the court rules in your favour, the defendant may choose to appeal this decision within 10 days after the verdict was delivered

• the trial and all court proceedings are conducted in Russian. If you do not speak Russian, an interpreter will be provided by the court.court Youor shouldyou informmay themcommission an interpreter of thisyour requirementchoice and at your own expense. You should inform the court in advance to allow them to make suitable arrangements. Consular staff will not normally be able to attend the hearing with you and you may wish to be accompanied by a friend or member of your family. If you have left Russia before the hearing, it may be possible to participate in a court hearing via video link upon decision of the court which is to hear your case.family

• Onif theyou motionare of the legal representative of the victim who is under 16 years old, the investigating officer or court may arrange for a pro bono lawyer to represent theyou. victim. The cost of this lawyer’s workservices iswould be covered by the Russian state.state

• Ifif you change your mind about pressing charges after reporting the filedincident charges,to the police, you can drop them without legal repercussions if:

  • the court and the Public Prosecutor give their consent

  • the offense committed against you is defined as petty offence or misdemeanour

  • the offender has come to terms with theyou victim and made amends for the inflicted harm

• The assailant may press counter charges against you claiming that you have made false accusations. The court will consider these claims and decide on proceedings.

  If anyone who intentionally makes false accusations to the police or withholds the truth,truth they can be prosecuted. Without your attendance, the court will still proceed with the hearing unless your appearance in the courtcourtroom room is required. InIf this case, your expenses,appearance includingis travel,required, accommodationsome andof legalyour representationexpenses may be covered. The court may order the offender to pay the damages to theyou. victim. This may be theincluded resultin of either the court’s verdict in the current criminal case, or result from a subsequent civil court action.action

• Hiring a bi-lingual lawyer will help the familysentence ofa thejudge victimmay gainpass insightdown into the ongoing case, ensure representation of their interests and rights in court,a andrape timelyor andsexual properassault appeals.criminal Acase listmay ofinclude:

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  Compensation

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When you return home to the UK

You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice.advice where you live.

If you believe you may be at risk of having contracted a sexually-transmittedsexually transmitted infection (STI), you should ask your local health provider to test you,you. You should do this even if you have been tested in the country thatwhere the assault took place in.place.

England

TheNHS UKChoices policewebsite, willor notsearch normallythe beinternet informedfor of‘NHS theSARC’

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/

Scotland

Archway incidentSARC

Phone: by0141 the211 Russian8130

Website: police.www.sandyford.scot/sexual-health-services/sexual-assault-rape/

Wales

ReadNew ourPathways adviceSARC

Phone: on01685 returning379 to310

Website: thehttp://www.newpathways.org.uk/sexual-assault-referral-centre/

Ynys UKSaff afterSexual rapeAssault Referral Centre - Cardiff and sexualVale assaultUniversity abroadHealth Board.

https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/sexual-health/services-provided/ynys-saff-sexual-assault-referral-centre/

Northern Ireland

Rowan SARC Northern Ireland

Phone: 0800 389 4424

Website: http://therowan.net/

Support organisations in Russia

It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, thethese following organisations may be able to help you.you:

Sisters

Phone: +7 (499) 901 020201

Email: 01, online@sisters-help.ru

OnMonday weekdaysto fromFriday 1010am am to 8 pm Moscow time8pm

Psychological help (available in English) to victims of sexual assault irrespective of their gender, nationality and place of residenceresidence.

Anna

8Phone: +8 (800) 7000700 600, annaruss93@gmail.com0600

Crisis Centres all over Russia provide psychological, legal, social and other kinds of help to women in crisis.crisis free of charge. Most of staff can only speak Russian, English-speaking staff is subject to availability.

Miloserdiye

No To Violence

+7Phone: (499) 350 52 77, +7 (965)495 262916 983000

Email: 78, m.m.studenikina@yandex.ruinfo@nasiliu.net

Address:Monday 49/3to NikoloyamskayaFriday St.,10am Moscowto 6:30pm

MoscowMoscow-based shelterorganisation forprovides pregnantshelter, womenpsychological and motherslegal withsupport childrento withthose nosuffered meansfrom ofviolence, subsistence,including noaccompanying placethem to stay.the Theypolice, offerhospital social,or legal and humanitarian support irrespective of their nationality, belief and age.court.

Crisis Centre for Women

Phone: +7 (812) 327 303000

Email: 00, Skype crisis_centeradvokat@crisiscenter.ru

PsychologicalSaint-Petersburg helpNGO provides psychological support (available in English) from 1111am am to 66pm pm on weekdays and Sundays, legal helpsupport from 1111am am to 66pm pm on Saturdays. The web-portal includes an online tool for reporting incidents to the police.

Ekaterina

Phone: +7(952)146-22-23

Email: kc-ekaterina@mail.ru

Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm

Regional NGO based in Ekaterinburg provides anonymous support to victims of violence.

Disclaimer

This information ishas providedbeen prepared by theHMG Britishofficials Governmentwho are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for theprofessional conveniencemedical ofor enquirers,legal butadvice. neitherIt Heris Majesty’sintended Governmentto help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither HMG nor any official of the Consulateconsulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or legal advice.

Medical information has been provided by The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rowan SARC NI and was accurate at the time of production.