What to Expect if You Report Assault or Abuse to Law Enforcement

Reporting sexual violence to the police is the first step toward holding perpetrators legally accountable. Without a survivor’s report, police cannot investigate the crime, and prosecutors cannot bring the case to trial.

Though reporting to law enforcement does not guarantee that your assailant will be brought to justice, it is the only way to seek restitution within the criminal justice system.

Here’s what to expect if you decide to report the sexual violence you experienced:

Talking to Law Enforcement

Whether you call 9-1-1, walk into a police station, or speak with an officer at a clinic or hospital, you will likely talk with an officer trained to interact with survivors of sexual trauma.

These officers may also be part of a sexual assault response team (SART), a team of professionals trained to help survivors of sexual violence. SARTs collaborate to provide survivors with streamlined support. 

Call, chat, or text RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline to find out if there’s a SART in your area. The hotline support specialist may also be able to connect you with a victim advocate who can guide you through the criminal justice process.

Criminal Justice Statistics

You may wonder, “Why bother reporting when so few perpetrators get convicted?” And it’s true that the statistics are not encouraging. However, they should not prevent you from reporting to law enforcement. Even if your report doesn’t lead to arrest, conviction, or incarceration, it can have other positive impacts, like these:

• Awareness. Filing a police report alerts law enforcement to the presence of a sexual predator in the community 
• Forensics. In some states, a police report is required before the crime lab will test rape kit evidence and log the DNA results in the FBI’s database
• Tracking. Many sexual assailants are serial perpetrators, and filing a police report can strengthen future cases against them

What to Expect If You Report

If you choose to report, knowing what to expect can help you feel more in control. Law enforcement may only interact with you when you report, or they may ask you to stay involved throughout the investigation.

• You have a right to privacy. Your conversation should take place in a private setting. If it feels too public, ask to move to a quieter space.
• The process may take time. Your initial report could take a few hours, and follow-up interviews may happen over time.
• You can take breaks. If you need water, a snack, or time to collect yourself, let the officer know.
• You can escalate concerns. If you feel dismissed or uncomfortable, ask to speak with a supervisor.
• Some questions may feel uncomfortable. Law enforcement is trained to ask detailed questions, which can feel intrusive. Use the words that feel right for you.
• Expect repeated questions. Officers may ask the same thing in different ways—not because they don’t believe you, but to help clarify details.
• You can have support. You are allowed to bring someone with you to any police interactions. (Just remember that this person may be called as a witness if your case goes to trial.) You can also request a victim advocate. If the law enforcement agency can’t provide an advocate, RAINN can help. 

Understanding the Law Enforcement Process

Law enforcement may ask to speak with you several times throughout an investigation. If their questions feel invasive or simply annoying, it may help to understand the investigators’ goals. 

• They need to prove lack of consent. Most survivors know the perpetrator, so proving assault is rarely about identifying a suspect—it’s about proving a lack of consent.
• They need to obtain clear, reliable statements. Law enforcement is trained to understand how trauma affects memory, emotions, and decision-making, so they often break interviews into multiple sessions to verify details and ensure you aren’t labeled an “unreliable witness.” They are also trained not to assume a report is false if your story evolves or you hesitate to press charges.

They need to build a strong case. Law enforcement is trained to gather evidence that will withstand common legal defenses. Here’s how each defense tactic gets countered:

What’s in the Police Report?

The police report will include a case tracking number and a written narrative based on any police interview(s) you provide. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (1), the report will include:

• Description of the assault. What you saw, smelled, tasted, heard, or felt during the assault; direct quotes from you; and whether voluntary alcohol or drug use made you uniquely vulnerable to harm. 
• Evidence of force. Indications of coercion, threats, or force, and whether you showed signs of fear, such as fight, flight, or freeze responses.
• Lack of consent. How your “no” was communicated (silence is not consent) and ignored.
• Premeditation. Any behavior that suggests planning or grooming.
• Trauma response. A timeline reflecting the impact of the assault, such as changes in routine, sleep, or appetite.

Legal Disclaimer

The Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) website provides general information that is intended, but not guaranteed, to be correct and up-to-date. The information is not presented as a source of legal advice. You should not rely, for legal advice, on statements or representations made within the website or by any externally referenced Internet sites. If you need legal advice upon which you intend to rely in the course of your legal affairs, consult a competent, independent attorney. RAINN does not assume any responsibility for actions or non-actions taken by people who have visited this site, and no one shall be entitled to a claim for detrimental reliance on any information provided or expressed.

Sources

(1) International Association of Chiefs of Police. Sexual Assault Incident Reports. (2018.)