Report It to Law Enforcement

Tell law enforcement what happened. The following is specific to folks in the United States.

What are the benefits?

  • Reporting to law enforcement can provide an immediate sense of action.

  • Law enforcement can help you obtain a criminal protective order.

  • This can be useful for any legal action you take later - including a civil lawsuit, a claim for crime victims assistance funds, or a claim for an immigration case such as a U-Visa.

  • If you report within 72 hours, a rape kit collects vital evidence from your body that you won’t have access to later if you don’t.

  • You could potentially help protect your community by putting the police on notice, or creating a trail of evidence of repeated allegations against an offender.

What are the potential risks?

  • The officer you talk to may be unaware of, or insensitive to, the needs of performers and other sex workers.

  • Law enforcement may speak to you or ask you questions that make you feel like you are not believed and could potentially be retraumatizing.

  • Law enforcement may disbelieve you or refuse to proceed with charges.

  • You could incriminate yourself without realizing it. Law enforcement could arrest and charge you if you have drugs or a weapon in your possession or provide information about involvement in sex work or other potentially unlawful activities.

  • Your race, sexuality, gender identity, immigration status and sex worker status may impact how you are treated by law enforcement.

  • In some locations, law enforcement may work with or share information with the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement, ICE.

  • You may not trust law enforcement based on past experience.

  • You will not have control over what legal proceedings come next.

  • While preserving forensic evidence of the crime can be important to building a case against your assailant, these exams can be difficult experiences. Survivors have described forensic exams as retraumatizing and intrusive. If you can, please consider asking a friend to take you to the hospital and home afterwards so you feel more comfortable.

  • Sometimes, in these situations, law enforcement has demanded to copy the entirety of cell phones containing evidence (text, photos, etc.). You should consider printing the relevant images before you go to the law enforcement and offer to leave them copies. With emails and texts, it is important to include the entire thread, not just the relevant excerpts.

What else should I know?

  • You can ask to speak to someone who is trained to respond to sexual assault.

  • You can ask for a victim advocate or social worker to assist you.

  • If you already have an attorney or have called the local legal aid office, ask them to accompany you or talk you through reporting to the police.

  • Medical professionals will be able to do a full medical examination to check for any physical harm. They will also be able to conduct a forensic exam (also known as a rape kit). The exam will allow samples of the perpetrator’s DNA (hair, semen, blood) to be saved. These samples can be used as evidence if you decide to press charges. A lot of survivors think—or are told—that it is impossible to conduct a forensic exam if you have already showered and/or changed your clothes. In fact, medical professionals can find physical evidence of the assault up to 72 hours afterwards. If you have already showered, please do not be discouraged, and call 911.

How do I proceed when I'm ready?

  • Try to figure out the correct law enforcement office. That generally means the law enforcement or sheriff office closest to where the event occurred. However, the office most convenient to you should be able to refer you over the phone to the correct office once you give the location of the event.

How can I prepare for an interview with law enforcement?

Preparing for the Interview

  • Get to know your detective. Call the police station ahead of time to schedule your interview. Once a detective is assigned to your case, take a few moments to email or call them to speak about what your day at the station will look like. Having a recognizable face or voice in the room can humanize the experience.

  • You do not need to have notes, but it often helps to have written notes or an outline down in advance.

  • If there is any documentary evidence (model release, texts, emails, photos), print it out in advance — do not rely on material only on your phone. With emails and texts, it is important to include the entire thread, not just the relevant excerpts.

  • If you prefer to be interviewed by someone of a specific gender, say so at the earliest possible time. The police may not be able or willing to cooperate, but often do.

  • If you know other survivors, ask them if they would be willing to share their experience in how best to prepare. Each individual situation is different, and you know your own case best. But it can be helpful to learn from survivors who have already gone through the reporting process—even if it is only for words of encouragement.

  • It’s okay to ask for help. No one should have to go through this alone. There are survivors and allies all around you. Confide in someone you trust, ask them to accompany you to the police station, and know that you are not alone.

  • Consider talking to a private lawyer, particularly one with adult entertainment and criminal defense experience. They may be able to give you hints about how best to characterize events, things to avoid and how to address sensitive components.

Make It as Comfortable as Possible

  • Bring a friend. Ask someone you trust to walk you to and from the police station. They can wait in the lobby or waiting area while you talk to the detectives (the police almost always will not allow anyone else to be with you during the interview), and make sure that you are taken care of afterwards.

  • Bring a bottle of water or a snack. A big bottle of water or some food will not only quench your thirst and give you energy, but will also give you something to hold in your hands.

  • Ask to take a break at any time that you need one.

  • Say “I don’t recall” if you cannot remember something.

  • Investigators usually have a list of questions that they ask everyone, and some may not be relevant to your situation.

  • If you can, take the day off to take care of yourself.

What should I do afterward?

Have a Plan

  • Particularly for the days following your trip to the police station, it is helpful to have a plan. If you can, schedule your interview toward the end of the week, so you can spend the weekend doing relaxing things that make you happy— such as spending time with loved ones, going on a long hike with a trusted friend, or watching your favorite movies. Give yourself something special to look forward to.

Practice Self-Care

  • Self-care looks different for everyone. You can find some popular recommendations for self-care here.

Follow Up with Law Enforcement

  • Detectives often work on many cases at a time. Make sure your case is not ignored by checking in with the law enforcement officer assigned to your case.

  • If you have a negative experience, especially if the officers do not seem to be taking you seriously, consider talking to a private lawyer, particularly one with criminal defense experience. They may have suggestions about who else to contact (specialized units or even investigators for the prosecuting agency).

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