At home

• Do not allow a stranger into your home – even if he is delivering something or providing a service.
• Ask for an identity document or phone his/her office to check his/her identity.
• Invest in the best locks and security you can afford.
• Never tell anyone that you are alone at home – and make sure the children also know not do so.
• Know your neighbours – and together plan ahead for how you will respond in a crisis.
• Know your local police station – and discuss safety matters with the police.
• Become involved with local crime prevention efforts with the community police forum or police.

On a date

• Do not allow anyone to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
• Be firm and clear and say NO!
• Do not leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met – say NO!
• Ask friends for help if someone ignores you when you say NO!
• Remember: Most rape victims know the rapist!!!
• You have the right to say NO!

In a case of rape

• Try not to panic.
• Common sense is your best defence.
• You cannot always defend yourself and your resistance may cause serious injury.
• If the attacker is dangerous, cooperate and try to negotiate.
• Submission is not consent.
• Try and remember what the attacker looks like – age, race, height, hair colour, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, jewellery.
• Scream, yell, blow your whistle or run away if you possibly can.
• Do not bath or change your clothes after an attack, look for professional straight away.
• Keep all the evidence so that it can be used by the police for further investigation.
• Report the crime to the Police Service straight away: go to the police station or phone 10111.

After a rape

Every victim of rape responds differently – but it is likely that you will benefit from help.

You may feel –

• dirty and want to wash repeatedly;
• scared and afraid to go out;
• that it is your fault and that you are guilty; or
• You cannot sleep, have nightmares, cannot eat, cannot stop crying or that you want to forget it as quickly as possible and get on with your life.

None of these responses are unusual or unnatural; remember that there is always someone to help you. Victim Support programmes, psychologists, counsellors, health care or social workers, employers, friends, family or church members – ask the police official dealing with your case to recommend someone to help you.

What happens when you report a rape (or other sexual offences)?

The police official will take your statement. You need not be alone – a friend or family member can be with you while you make your statement, as long as he or she is not a potential witness in your case.

If you later feel that your statement is wrong or incomplete, you can make another statement.

You can make your statement in your own language (if it may be translated).

You have the right to copy your statement. It may sometimes not be possible to get a copy immediately, but you can get it later.

The police official will give you a case number and you must use this number whenever you want information about your case. If necessary, the investigating officer will make sure you are examined by an accredited health care worker, who will complete a medical report and collect medical evidence.

You must make sure that the investigating officer knows how and where to contact you at all times, including when you move to another location, but it is a victim’s responsibility to notify the police official of any changes of address.

The investigating officer will let you know –

• when the suspect is arrested;
• if the suspect is released on bail;
• if you need to attend an identification parade;
• the date of the trial;
• when you will have to give evidence; and
• The outcome of the case.

A victim must have the responsible police official’s telephone number so that he/she knows where to get information about his/her case.

The police investigate the case and then hand it over to a state lawyer called a prosecutor. The service is free to you.

The police official, the investigating officer and the prosecutor will be able to give you information about your case.

Get a telephone number from the investigating officer so that you know where to get information about your case.