Reporting It:

Greater Manchester Police TALON Team

Greater Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police is committed to tackling rape and sexual assault by supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims, and GMP’s campaign, code-named Talon, aims to continually improve the support services offered to victims of this crime.

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available. You can call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515. See links below for the contact details of further support agencies.

We understand it is your decision whether to report it and it is one you shouldn’t be pushed into, but it is important to remember that the sooner the assault is reported, the more evidence we will be able to collect to help prevent you or someone else being hurt again.

If you do decide to make a report, we will do everything we can to make sure you and your family receive the best possible care and support. Your welfare is our priority and we have 900 specially trained officers working on a 24-hour basis to offer advice and support to victims.

Below is some more information about how to report rape, who to contact and explains what the police and support agencies will do to help you.

Visit www.facebook.com/ReportRape2010 or follow us on Twitter @ReportRape2010 for more help and advice. Greater Manchester Police's Twitter feed is @gmpolice.

Reporting Rape

Rape is a serious crime we would encourage you to tell us about.

We understand this is your decision and one you shouldn’t be pushed into but it’s important to remember that the sooner the assault is reported, the more evidence we’ll be able to collect to help prevent you or someone else being hurt again.

If you do decide to make a report, we will do everything we can to make sure you and your family receive the best possible care and support.

Your welfare is our priority and we have 900 specially trained officers working on a 24-hour basis.

Your decision

Calling the police is your decision to make but we understand that not knowing what to expect may be frightening.

We’re not here to tell you what to do but hope the information is both reassuring and useful whether you’ve suffered a sexual assault or are trying to help a partner, friend or relative.

First Contact

Our first concern is your safety so if the incident has just happened and you contact us by phone, our call handler will stay on the line until a police officer arrives.

Trained Officers

We have a team of specially trained officers who will do everything in their power to treat you and your family with care and sensitivity throughout any investigation, court proceedings and beyond.

They will be open, honest, do their best to minimise trauma and offer support for as long as you would like.

If you’ve been raped, please remember it’s not your fault. Regardless of what you might have been wearing, how much you’d had to drink or who was involved, we will never treat any type of rape as more or less serious than any other.

One of our specially trained officers will visit you wherever you feel most comfortable.

The officer will accompany you at all times and explain the whole process but please don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’re here to help and can make arrangements for a friend or family member to be with you if you would like them to.

Early Evidence

Sometimes the officer may use what we call an early evidence kit. This is nothing to worry about, it’s just a small box containing a mouth swab and a pot to collect a urine sample in.

Evidence can be lost by brushing your teeth, eating, drinking or going to the toilet. The early evidence kit helps us collect this evidence quickly

First Account

At this time the officer will take a more detailed account of what has happened which you will be asked to read and sign. We call this a first account.

Although initially you may find it embarrassing to discuss intimate details, our experienced officers will do their best to put you at ease.

It’s important to be truthful. No one will judge you if you had been drinking or taking drugs before the assault but it’s important to let the officer know as it may change the way the account is taken and alert officers that you could need urgent medical attention.

Never be frightened to ask questions, explain things in your own words or ask for a break if you feel you need one.

Making a Statement

The officer will help you make a detailed statement about what has happened. This will help officers with their investigations and may be used later in court.

If a suspect is in custody we may need to take a statement or conduct a video interview sooner rather than later. However if you are feeling tired, the officer will probably suggest you get some rest first. It is important that we gather as much information from you as possible at this time so that you don’t need to be interviewed again. This why we may delay the time of getting this statement so that you are emotionally and physically strong enough to do it.

You should try to recall as many details of the assault as you can.

Anonymity

If you’re worried about being identified, you don’t need to be. The law protects you from this by giving anonymity to victims of sexual attacks for their lifetime.

No information likely to lead to your identification as a victim can be published. This includes your name, address, photograph, school, workplace or any other details that could cause you to be identified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Should I tell the police?

A. Yes, we are here to help you.


Q. What will happen if I do?

A. A specially trained officer will talk to you and be guided by your wishes.


Q. If I don’t want to go to the police. Is there somewhere else I can go for help?

A. Yes, there are a number of other services that you can refer yourself to, including:

Q. Does GMP have a specialist team of officers who investigate sexual crimes?

A. The force has a Sexual Crime Unit, which consists of a specialist team of detectives who are responsible for investigating rape and other sexual crimes. This team works closely with officers across Greater Manchester and other partners such as St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester to ensure a professional response is provided to victims and that these crimes are thoroughly investigated so that the offenders can be caught and brought to justice.

In addition, across the Force, there are numerous officers who have responsibility for tackling sexual crimes ranging from intelligence officers to those based within the 10 public protection units.

Q. Will I have to go to court?

A. Only if you wish to. Whatever your choice you will be fully supported.


Q. What will the police think of me?

A. We will not judge you and you will be treated with sensitivity and respect.


Q. I can’t remember what happened so how can I tell the Police?

A. If you are worried or anxious and think something has happened to you, tell us.