It is never too late to report sexual offences. Deciding to report sexual offences years later is quite common. We understand that most people who experience sexual assaults delay telling anyone or may never tell anyone. It doesn’t matter whether the offence occurred hours, weeks, months, years or decades ago. We will investigate. We encourage you to report regardless of when the sexual offence occurred.
To facilitate the investigation, you may be requested to provide the Police with any other items that may be of evidential value. They will be returned to you as soon as reasonably practicable.
You should make a report regardless of who they are.
You can report an incident through phone call or attending your local police station
Social workers, teachers, family member, friends or anyone you trust. There are a range of organisations independent of the Police that you can contact for further information and support. These organisations can support you regardless of your decision to report to police.
Yes, you can request privacy measures such as the use of screen or giving evidence by way of a live Television link, special passage or your anonymity be preserved during the court proceedings
Yes, the offenders may have committed a sexual offence, if the partner does not consent to the particular indecent contact. The question is whether the partner consents to the act in question.
Victims of sexual violence can be of any age, gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, economic status or faith tradition.
It is a sexual assault where the perpetrators carry out on a person after the person has become incapacitated due to being under the influence of any mind-altering substances, such as having consumed alcohol or been intentionally administered another date rape drug.
Sexual violence can take place in the form of physical or non-physical force, threat of force, coercion, intimidation, duress or deceit.
We understand it’s not easy to tell others your traumatic experience. We encourage you to seek help as soon as possible so that you can have all the support you need.
The processing time of each case varies on multiple factors, such as case complexity, number of defendant(s), time needed for investigation, legal consultation process and trial preparation. Once a case is ready for trial, the court will consider all relevant factors and schedule the hearing at the earliest possible date.
In general, for cases involving sentences of up to 2 to 3 years, the Magistrates' Courts can conduct trials as early as within 2 to 3 months; for cases involving sentences of up to 7 years, the District Court can conduct trials as early as within 6 months; and for cases involving sentences of more than 7 years, the Court of First Instance of the High Court can conduct trials as early as within about 1 year. We understand that waiting for a hearing may take months or even years, but please don't let this discourage you. Whether for your own sake or to prevent others from becoming victims, it is important to wait patiently for the hearing. The Police can assist in connecting you with relevant organizations that provide support services.