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Evidence

If you are thinking about reporting a rape or sexual assault which has just happened, the more evidence you keep, the greater the chance of finding and convicting the person who assaulted you.

But you can still report at a later time (days, weeks, months, years) even if you have not kept evidence.

Some suggestions for keeping evidence are:

  • Contact the police as soon as possible (101 or 999) so they can arrange a forensic examination. This examination is usually done in Aberdeen.
  • Tell the police if you think you may have been drugged or your drink ‘spiked’. They can find out more about this and might arrange for blood and urine tests.
  • Try not to change your clothes. But if you do, put them in a clean paper bag to give to the police.
  • Try not shower or bathe even though this may be your first instinct.
  • Try not to clean your teeth.
  • Try not to eat or drink, especially alcohol.
  • Try not to comb your hair.
  • Try not to go to the toilet until you have been examined.If you do need to keep anything you use/any sanitary products
  • If the attacker used a condom keep it.
To watch the short video on what to expect in making a report and having a forensic examination click here
For more information on your rights when reporting a sexual crime read this guide from the Scottish Women's Rights Centre.
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