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:

• 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 Victim of rape and sexual assault abroad

If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and Sexualsexual Assault:assault Returningis 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 theget UKhelp.

First steps

It is your choice about what you do next, but this information may help you into comingcome 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 numberservices 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. EmbassyConsular staff will be empathetic and non-judgmental,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

  Before you havego a tour operator, they should be able to arrangethe forpolice someone to support you. station

  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) 24/724/7.

• ifIf 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 supportsupport.

• 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

• ifevidence. If you change your clothes, thinktake about taking those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or textstexts.

  In andRussia socialif mediayou messagesare a child or young person, you have the right to report a crime committed against you without a parent or a guardian being present. Once you have reported a crime, all subsequent legal actions (interaction with police, investigating authority, participation in court proceedings) should be taken by your legal representative (a parent or a guardian).

  If you are under 16 years old, the police or the investigating officer can question you only in the presence of your legal representative (a parent or guardian). A state-appointed, certified psychologist may also need to be present during questioning.

  If you are between 16-18 years old, the involvement of your legal representative in the legal proceedings may also be required.

  At the police station

  • tell the police if you think you have been drugged

  • insistask youfor get a copy of your incident report and a confirmation that your report has been received and registeredregistered. andBe requestaware athat translationall the documents will be in Englishthe ifRussian applicablelanguage only

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

• 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 only speak RussianRussian. 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 statestate-paid paid interpreter. However, the quality of atheir state paid interpreter’s services cannotmay be guaranteed.substandard. Investigations are led by the police or the investigative committee, and not by a judge.

• ifWhile 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 friendsfriends, or family shouldif you request it. We will not be able to act as interpreters.

  You will not be required to give up your passportpassport.

• normally,Normally a lawyer is not assigned to a victim.victim.  If you want legal representation, you should instruct your own lawyer. If you are under 16 years oldold, and a criminal investigation is launched based on your report, you have athe right to requestRussian astate-funded statelegal paidrepresentation lawyerin torelation represent you

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Reporting the crime in Russia: what happens next

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The medical examination: what to expect

• Where to go

  mostMost hospitalsstate and private hospitals, and medical centres in Russia 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

• Examination

  whenWhen 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 crimeincident.

• ifIf youanyone havegoes reportedto the crimehospital with any physical injuries, which could have been sustained because of a criminal action, doctors are legally responsible to report it to the policepolice.

  If oryou have reported the investigativeincident committee,to the police, you will undergo a forensic examination upon their referral. TheForensic evidence is collected only at a specific facility and only when referred to by the police or investigating officer.

   A forensic report is especially important when seeking legal redress, including payment of moral and material damages. With this report, the offender can receive just punishmentpunishment.

• theThe forensic examination includes external review of injuries, bruises, broken bones, twists, skin abrasions and tearing of soft tissues. tissues.  For women, this should be followed by the obstetrical-gynaecologicalobstetrical-gynecological 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 takentaken.

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Treatment

• ifIf 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).(PEP) Thismedication. PEP is a treatment that maycan 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 websiteinfection.

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

• PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it isto alsobe importanteffective. The NHS may be able to undergocommence testingor andcontinue the 28-day treatment foron STDsreturn to the UK.

• emergencyEmergency contraception can be purchased from a pharmacy at your own cost with no prescription or medical referral. It may not always be available, especially outside cities.

  Emergency contraception 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