First steps
If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault are 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.
It is your choice what you do next, but this information may help you make a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be. You can:
Consular staff will be empathetic and non-judgmental. They can provide information about 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.
For information about support available in the UK, see Rape and sexual assault: returning to the UK.
If you want to report the incident to the police in Russia
Before you go to the police station
If 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 be able to speak to trained consular staff on the telephone 24/7.
If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the British Embassy Moscow or British Consulate General Ekaterinburg on +7 495 956 7200 (Option 1, then Option 2) so you can get 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, take those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.
In Russia if you are 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 and 18 years old, the involvement of your legal representative in the legal proceedings may also be required.
Potential risks
Extramarital sex or homosexuality is not a crime in Russia, but you may be prosecuted for any activity which could be seen as promoting homosexuality.
Drinking in public places other than licensed facilities is a civil offence, and drug taking is a criminal offence in Russia.
Police officers
When you file your report, there is no guarantee that you will be able to choose whether you speak to a male or female officer or that you will be given somewhere private to speak.
Most police officers do not speak English. If you do not speak Russian, you need to be accompanied by someone who speaks both Russian and English or by an interpreter. If you are accompanied by consular staff, they will not be able to act as interpreters.
In Russia, you have the right to request a state-paid interpreter. However, the quality of their services may be substandard, and you may have to wait for their arrival.
Making a statement and submitting evidence
You should:
- tell the police if you think you have been drugged
- ask for a police report and request a translation in English, if applicable
The police or the investigating authority will ask you to make a statement about the incident, including a description of your attacker(s).
The police or the investigating authority will keep any clothes, which may be evidence, for forensic examination. They can also retain your electronic equipment if there reasons to do so (as evidence or part of any investigation).
The police or the investigating authority will refer you, or take you if they have the available personnel, to a local Russian forensic medical centre. These centres are in major cities only and they might not be immediately accessible. This step is essential, if you want to take the case to court.
You will not be required to give up your passport.
Investigations are led by the police or the investigative committee, and not by a judge.
Available support
A member of the consular staff can accompany you to the police station. We can offer information on the local investigation procedures, advice for seeking medical help and links to victim support groups. We can also contact your friends, or family if you request it.
Normally a lawyer is not assigned to a victim. You should instruct your own lawyer or hire a local English-speaking lawyer.
If you are under 16 years old, you have the right to Russian state-funded legal representation in relation to the investigation of sexual offences. If you are between 16 and 18 years old, you may be able to access Russian state-funded lawyer’s services, but you or your representative will need to apply for those.
The local authorities in Russia will not inform the UK police and will not ask the UK police to undertake checks on you.
After making a statement
If you know the offender’s whereabouts and would like to co-operate, the police or the investigating officer may take you there to try to identify and arrest the offender.
If the 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 the investigating officer.
If a suspect is brought to the police station, you may be asked to identify them. If you have left Russia before the suspect was apprehended, you may be able to make identification via video link.
In Russia you or your lawyer are not expected to go in front of the public prosecutor to make a statement.
Your lawyer will have access to any reports of questioning or cross-examination in which you took part.
Within 48 hours of the suspect’s detention, the investigating officer should submit a request to court to obtain permission to keep the suspect in custody for the duration of the investigation.
The court will decide to keep the suspect in custody or dismiss the request. If the request is dismissed, the suspect may be released on bail, placed under house arrest, released subject to a travel restriction order, or prohibited from engaging in certain actions.
The court may also postpone examination of the request for up to 72 hours for the investigator to present additional evidence in support of the request.
You can leave the country once the case is filed.
If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Russia
The British Embassy Moscow will be able to help you, including by:
- helping you to contact your insurance company or your family
- accompanying you to the local hospital or medical facility, where possible
- providing you with lists of medical facilities, lawyers and translators
- helping you with arrangements to travel back to the UK
- providing you with information on local support in the UK
It’s your choice whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated.
If you choose not to report the incident, you will still be able to get medical attention. If you have severe injuries, call the ambulance (112/103 from a mobile or 03 from a landline) or go to the nearest hospital / emergency room (‘travmpunkt’) and inform them of what has happened so they could perform the appropriate tests and document all injuries you have sustained.
The medical examination: what to expect
If you are given medication to take while abroad, you should keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication. You can then give it to your local health provider when you return home.
Where to go
Most state and private hospitals, and medical centres in Russia treat victims of rape and sexual assault.
Examination
When visiting a hospital, it is important that you tell the doctor what has happened so they can make a proper examination. A 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. The examination will also assess any 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 incident.
If anyone goes to the hospital with any physical injuries, which could have been sustained because of a criminal action, doctors are legally responsible to report it to the police.
If you have reported the incident to the police, you will undergo a forensic examination upon their referral. Forensic evidence is collected only at a specific facility and only when someone is referred by the police or investigating officer.
A forensic report is especially important when seeking legal redress, including the 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.
Be aware the police may still be involved as doctors are required by Russian law to report any physical injuries that may have been inflicted because of unlawful action.
If you want someone to accompany you to the hospital, you can contact the British Embassy Moscow.
HIV prevention
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication (a treatment that can prevent HIV infection) needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to start or continue the 28-day treatment when you return to the UK.
In Russia, hospital medical staff may not be able to give advice on PEP medication. You should go to a local Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS urgently to see an infectious diseases doctor, to take an HIV test and obtain HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) medication.
You may be able to purchase HIV PEP medication from a pharmacy or from a local Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS but it may not be available, especially outside cities.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.
You can purchase emergency contraception from a pharmacy without a prescription or medical referral. It may not always be available, especially outside cities.
Paying for treatment
You or your medical insurance should cover the cost of hospital treatment, tests and medication. If your injuries pose an immediate threat to your life the emergency medical treatment is normally provided free of charge.
If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK
The support available to you and your access to justice may depend on where you report the crime.
You may need to report the crime before you leave Russia if you want it to be investigated and the police to obtain important evidence.
If you live in or are remaining in Russia and the crime took place there, you should report the crime there. If you need help to report the crime, you can contact the British Embassy Moscow or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London.
If you do not report the crime in Russia and you return to the UK, you can still report it to your local UK police.
The UK police should send the information you provide to Russia. However, it is for the 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 abroad. The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may still send some details of the crime to the police in Russia. This might be necessary to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.
Court procedures in Russia: what to expect
When you make a report the investigator may initiate a criminal case within 30 days. The preliminary investigation may last up to 2 months and may be extended for up to 12 months, or even longer, depending on the complexity of the case.
When the preliminary investigation is complete, the investigator decides to submit the case to the public prosecutor or to close the case.
If the case goes to the public prosecutor, the public prosecutor will review the case file and, if satisfied, will forward the case to court for trial.
The prosecutor may also return the case file to the investigator for clarifications. If the case is referred for further investigation, you may be asked to give an additional statement.
If you change your mind about pressing charges after reporting the incident to the police, you can drop them without legal repercussions if:
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the court and the public prosecutor agree for the offence committed against you to be defined as petty offence or misdemeanour
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you have reached an agreement with the offender that they will make amends for the suffering inflicted and you drop the charges in return
The perpetrator may press counter charges against you claiming that your accusations are false. The court will consider these claims.
Trial procedures
The preliminary hearing is scheduled within 30 days after a judge receives the case materials from the public prosecutor. If the suspect is already in custody, the maximum period is 14 days. Depending on the outcomes of the preliminary hearing, the judge may return the case to the prosecutor.
If the case is sent to trial, you will normally be expected to testify in court in person. If you have left Russia, you may be able to testify via video link.
Without your attendance, the court will still proceed with the hearing unless your appearance in the courtroom is required. If you are required to appear before the court in person, some of your travel expenses may be covered by the Russian state.
When the court starts the trial, an unlimited number of hearings may take place before the court reaches a verdict.
If the court rules in your favour, the defendant has the right to appeal this decision.
The sentence comes into legal force if it has not been appealed within 10 days after it was delivered.
The duration of the judicial process also depends on the availability of parties and the number of appeals. There may be 4 appeals: one before the sentence comes into force, and 3 more (cassations) – after the sentence has come into force.
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 a family member.
Sentencing
The alleged perpetrator may be found guilty of
- rape: sexual intercourse involving the use of violence or the threat of violence
- violent acts of a sexual nature: other sexual acts, excluding rape, involving the use of violence or the threat of violence
- coercion to engage in sexual acts: compelling a person to engage in sexual intercourse or other acts of a sexual nature
- sexual intercourse and other acts of a sexual nature with a person under the age of 16: committing the said acts with a person under 16 years of age
- lewd acts: actions intended to satisfy the offender’s sexual desire
The sentence normally focuses on punishment and 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
In Russia, court terminates a criminal case or delivers a non-guilty verdict if there is no sufficient evidence of the crime committed or the complicity of the offender.
Hiring a lawyer
You can get help from anEnglish-speaking lawyers in Russia.
Hiring a bilingual lawyer will help you gain timely insight into the ongoing case, ensure representation of your interests and rights in court, and timely and proper appeals.
A lawyer should be able to facilitate communication between the authorities and you and have access to the case files. Check with your lawyer if they can offer their initial service pro bono and find out the cost of their continued service.
Your lawyer will attend all legal proceedings on your behalf and keep you advised of the developments in your case.
Legal aid
There is no legal aid in Russia.
if you are under 16 years old, you have the right to pro bono legal representation in relation to the investigation of sexual offences in Russia.
If you are between 16 and 18 years old, you may also receive pro bono legal representation, but you or your parent or guardian need to apply for it. The Russian state will cover the cost of these pro bono legal services.
Compensation
There is no state-funded compensation for physical or psychological harm resulting from violent crime in Russia.
The court may order the perpetrator to pay compensation for your injuries or losses. This may be included in the court’s verdict in the current criminal case or done through a separate civil action.
When the crime is first reported, you will communicate with the police or the investigative committee where you filed the complaint. 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.
Your lawyer will attend all legal proceedings on your behalf and keep you advised of all developments in your case. You or your lawyer can be the main point of contact for all the authorities for the duration of your case.
If you are not in Russia, the relevant authority will communicate the progress of your case through your lawyer. If you don’t have a lawyer, the authority will communicate the developments on your case to British Embassy Moscow, or by post to your address abroad.
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
Sisters offers psychological help (available in English) to victims of sexual assault irrespective of their gender, nationality and place of residence.
POLINA.Crisis Centre for Women
This 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.
All-Russia Hotline for Victims of Domestic Violence
Phone: +7 800 700 0600
This hotline provides help to female victims of domestic violence free of charge. Most of staff only speak Russian, English-speaking personnel is subject to availability.
Map of crisis support centres for women in Russia
Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre
Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis Centre is a support service for British women and girls aged 13 and over who have been raped, sexually assaulted or sexually abused. They can also assist friends and family members of survivors.
Their service gives access to UK-based real time support from anywhere in the world via telephone, instant messaging or email.
Helpline and live chat are available from:
- Monday to Friday, 11am to 2pm
- Monday to Thursday 5.30pm to 7.30pm (UK time)
When you return to the UK
If you think there is a risk that you have 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.
You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) know what has happened to you. You can talk to them about your experience, and they can help you get further support and advice where you live.
England
Help after rape or sexual assault
Scotland
NHS Inform Scotland: Help after rape or sexual assault
Wales
New Pathways: Life Beyond Sexual Violence
Northern Ireland
The Rowan (SARC)
Disclaimer
This information has been prepared by UK government 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 the UK government nor any official of British embassies, high commissions or consulates 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 (2 February 2022).
