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:

• seek medical advice and attention
• report to the police
• engage with foreign legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault 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
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact British Embassy Moscow on +7 495 956 7200 (Option 1 for English then Option 2 for consular services) 24/7. Embassy staff will be empathetic 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

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

• if 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 the area where there is British Embassy Moscow or British Consulate General Ekaterinburg, they will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow. You will always be able to speak to trained consular staff on the telephone +7 495 956 7200 (Option 1 for English then Option 2 for consular services) 24/7

• if you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform British Embassy Moscow at +7 495 956 7200 (Option 1 for English then Option 2 for consular services) and they can offer you consular support

• if 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

• 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 and social media messages

• tell the police 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

• extramarital sex or homosexuality is not a crime in Russia; however, you may be prosecuted for any activity which could be seen as promoting homosexuality. Drinking in public places other than licensed facilities is an administrative offence, and drug taking is a criminal offence in Russia. A crime committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries a harsher punishment

• when 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 led by the police or the investigative committee, and not by a judge.

• if 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, guardian, etc)

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

• British Embassy Moscow, or British Consulate General Ekaterinburg will be able to help you. This includes helping you 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

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

• if you are travelling with one, you can also report the incident to your tour operator and ask them for assistance. If you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the local hospital. If you wish, and depending on location and timing, a member of consular staff may be able to accompany you

• it is your choice whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it within 72 hours, investigators may find it difficult to collect and secure evidence of the crime

• if 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 go to the nearest hospital / emergency room (‘travmpunkt’) and inform them of what has happened so they can perform 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

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

• the support available 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 local 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 investigation. Russian authorities may be reluctant to interrogate a victim based abroad by video link

• if you are staying in Russia and a crime was committed against you, you should report the crime in Russia. If you need help to report the crime, you can contact British Embassy Moscow, British Consulate General Ekaterinburg or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London

• if you do not report the crime in Russia 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 Russia where the crime happened. However, it is for Russian police to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not take action

• you can report the crime to the UK police even if you are not seeking an investigation in Russia. The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may still send some details of the crime to police in Russia where it happened. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed

Reporting the crime in Russia: what happens next

• if 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 or investigating officer to obtain forensic evidence

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

• tell 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. If you are accompanied by consular staff, they will not be able to act as interpreters

• the 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)

• the police or investigating officer will send you, or take you if they have the available personnel, to a 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 only 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 examination: what to expect

• most 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 obliged, by Russian law, to report it to the police. Forensic evidence is collected only at a specific facility and only when referred by the police or investigating officer

• when visiting a hospital, it is important that you tell the doctor 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 injuries from the assault. After that, the doctor will refer you for HIV and other STD testing. Inform the doctor of any psychological issues caused by the crime

• if you have reported the crime to the police or the investigative committee, you will undergo a forensic examination upon their 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 just 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 as well as pregnancy testing. 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

• if it is possible you may have been exposed to HIV, you should go to a 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). This is a treatment that may stop HIV from replicating in the body and prevent the virus from attacking the immune 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 on 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 anti-retroviral treatment is provided free of charge only to HIV positive patients.

• it is also important to undergo testing and treatment for STDs

• emergency 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 2 weeks after the incident

• hospital treatment and tests are covered either at your own cost or by your medical insurance. As provided by Russian law, the emergency treatment is free of charge if your injuries pose an immediate threat to your life.

• if you have had medication administered in Russia, you should 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 to the UK

Criminal investigations in Russia: what to expect

• when 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 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 30 days. The preliminary investigation may last up to 2 months from the day of its opening and may be extended for up to 12 months and even further depending on the complexity of the case

• if you know the offender’s whereabouts and would like to cooperate, the police or investigating officer may take you to this place 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

• if a suspect is unknown, you can ask the police or investigating officer to show you a photo database of registered sex offenders, 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, you should inform the police or investigating officer

• within 48 hours of the suspect’s detention, the officer in charge shall transfer the case to court to obtain permission to keep the suspect in detention. The judge shall take one of the following decisions:

  • to keep the suspect in custody
  • dismiss the request for detention. The suspect may be released on bail, placed under house arrest or released on a travel restriction order, or on prohibition to take certain actions
  • postpone 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 procedures: what to expect

• hiring a bilingual lawyer will 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 legal expertise and cannot give legal advice

• if the case is sent to trial, you will normally 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. A local lawyer can advise you on this and explain the procedure for possible reimbursement of your travel expenses

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

• 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 delivered. The length of the judicial process also depends on the availability of parties and the number of 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 or you may commission an interpreter of your choice 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 are under 16 years old, the investigating officer or court may arrange for a pro bono lawyer to represent you. The cost of this lawyer’s services would be covered by the Russian state

• if you change your mind about pressing charges after reporting the incident 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 you and made amends for the inflicted harm

• anyone who intentionally makes false accusations to the police or withholds the truth can be prosecuted. Without your attendance, the court will still proceed with the hearing unless your appearance in the courtroom is required. If your appearance is required, some of your expenses may be covered. The court may order the offender to pay damages to you. This may be included in the court’s verdict in the current criminal case, or result from a subsequent civil court action

• the sentence a judge may pass down in a rape or sexual assault criminal case may include:

  • suspended prison sentence
  • forced labour
  • restriction on taking certain jobs
  • prison sentence for up to 20 years or a life sentence
  • monetary compensation to you for any injuries or losses

• before the trial, your lawyer should advise you on the scale of compensation and the procedure for claiming it. The court can also order the offender to pay monetary compensation through a separate civil action

• the perpetrator may press counter charges against you claiming that your accusations are false. The court will consider these claims. Normally, a court terminates a criminal case or delivers a non-guilty verdict if there is not sufficient evidence of the crime committed or the complicity of the offender

• if you have left Russia, the relevant authority will communicate any developments on your case through your lawyer or to British Embassy Moscow

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 where you live.

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

England

NHS Choices website, or search the internet for ‘NHS SARC’

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

Scotland

Archway SARC

Phone: 0141 211 8130

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

Wales

New Pathways SARC

Phone: 01685 379 310

Website: https://www.newpathways.org.uk/within-the-last-10-days/

Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

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

Northern Ireland

The Rowan SARC Northern Ireland

Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rowan-sexual-assault-referral-centre-sarc

https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/services/sexual-health-services/sexual-assault-referral-centre-rowan/

Phone: 0800 389 4424

Address: Antrim Area Hospital, 45 Bush Rd, Antrim BT41 2RL

Support organisations in Russia

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

Sisters

Phone: +7 499 901 0201

Email: online@sisters-help.ru

Website: https://sisters-help.ru/

Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm

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

No To Violence

Phone: +7 495 916 3000

Email: info@nasiliu.net

Website: https://nasiliu.net/about-center/

Monday to Friday 10am to 6:30pm

Moscow-based organisation provides shelter, psychological and legal support to those suffered from violence, including accompanying them to the police, hospital or court.

Crisis Centre for Women

Phone: +7 812 327 3000

Email: advokat@crisiscenter.ru

Website: https://crisiscenter.ru/

Saint-Petersburg NGO provides psychological support (available in English) from 11am to 6pm on weekdays and Sundays, legal support from 11am to 6pm on Saturdays. The web-portal includes an online tool for reporting incidents to the police.

Map of crisis support centres for women in Russia

Website:  https://nasiliu.net/karta-pomoshhi/

All-Russia Hotline for Victims of Domestic Violence

Phone: +7 800 700 0600

The organisation provides help to female victims of domestic violence free of charge. Most of staff only speak Russian, English-speaking personnel is subject to availability.

Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by HMG officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither HMG nor any official of the consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.

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