This website has been designed to keep your privacy as safe as possible but your web browser () automatically records the history of pages you visit. You may want to consider protecting your privacy as you browse.
Review privacy
From Report To Court
Rape Crisis supports lots of women from report to court. Our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors or Advocates (ISVAs) can support you through the process.
From Report to Court handbook
Rights of Women have produced a detailed booklet on reporting to the police and the criminal justice process called From Report to Court: A Handbook for Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence. You can use the guide below to access relevant sections of this booklet.
-
The law around rape and sexual violence (Page 12)
ShowThis section of From Report to Court explains four offences in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (the SOA 2003):- rape;
- assault by penetration;
- sexual assault; and,
- causing someone to engage in sexual activity
-
How the investigation works (Page 28)
ShowThis section of From Report to Court explains four parts of the investigation:- Some reasons to report sexual violence
- How to report sexual violence
- Arrest and interview
- The end of the police investigation
-
The court proceedings including charging the perpetrator (Page 46)
ShowThis section of From Report to Court explains the court proceedings which can be quite complex. It covers:- What the Crown Prosecution Service does
- Gathering sufficient evidence
- The charging process in detail
-
Appearing in court and the trial (Page 71)
ShowThis section of From Report to Court explains what happens when you visit court and what you might have to deal with including:- An outline of a court trial
- The prosecution and defence case
- The burden and standard of proof
-
What happens after the trial (Page 88)
ShowAfter the trial there are various different outcomes which may happen some of which include:- The verdict (guilty or not guilty)
- Sentencing
- Protecting you from further harm