Russia: information for victims of rape and sexual assault
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-04)

This information is to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions, following a rape or other form of sexual assault abroad.

This information is provided to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions about whether and how to:
- seek medical advice and attention
- report to the police
- engage with foreign legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault overseas
For information on support available in the UK, see Victim of rape and sexual assault abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad)

If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault is always wrong – no matter who commits it or where it happens. It is traumatic and it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Do not be afraid to get help.

First steps

It is your choice what you do next, but this information may help you to come to a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be. You can:

contact the emergency services on 112

contact British Embassy Moscow (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow) on xx-xxxx-xxxx (Option 1 for English then Option 2 for consular services) 24/7. Consular staff will be empathetic and non-judgmental and can provide information on local police and medical procedures. Anything you tell them will be treated in the strictest confidence. They can contact your family or friends for you if you wish

If you want to report the incident to the police in Russia

Before you go to the police station

If you are in the area where there is British Embassy Moscow (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow) or British Consulate General Ekaterinburg (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-ekaterinburg), they will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow. You will always be able to speak to trained consular staff on the telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx (Option 1 for English then Option 2 for consular services) 24/7.

If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform British Embassy Moscow (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow) at xx-xxxx-xxxx (Option 1 for English then Option 2 for consular services) and they can offer you consular support.

If you choose to report the crime, try to do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained.

Washing yourself or your clothes may make it difficult for the police to obtain forensic evidence. If you change your clothes, take those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.

In Russia if you are a child or young person, you have the right to report a crime committed against you without a parent or a guardian being present. Once you have reported a crime, all subsequent legal actions (interaction with police, investigating authority, participation in court proceedings) should be taken by your legal representative (a parent or a guardian).

If you are under 16 years old, the police or the investigating officer can question you only in the presence of your legal representative (a parent or guardian). A state-appointed, certified psychologist may also need to be present during questioning.

If you are between 16-18 years old, the involvement of your legal representative in the legal proceedings may also be required.

At the police station

tell the police if you think you have been drugged

ask for a copy of your incident report and a confirmation that your report has been received and registered. Be aware that all the documents will be in the Russian language only

Extramarital sex or homosexuality is not a crime in Russia, but you may be prosecuted for any activity which could be seen as promoting homosexuality. Drinking in public places other than licensed facilities is a civil offence, and drug taking is a criminal offence in Russia. A crime committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries a harsher punishment.

When you file your report, there is no guarantee that a police officer of a preferred gender will be available or that you will be given somewhere private to speak. Most police officers only speak Russian. If you do not speak Russian, you need to be accompanied by someone who speaks both Russian and English or by an interpreter (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-list-of-translators-and-interpreters). In Russia, you have the right to request a state-paid interpreter. However, the quality of their services may be substandard. Investigations are led by the police or the investigative committee, and not by a judge.

While you are at the police station, a member of the consular staff can accompany you; we can offer information on investigation procedures, advice for seeking medical help and links to victim support groups. We can also contact your friends, or family if you request it. We will not be able to act as interpreters.

You will not be required to give up your passport.

Normally a lawyer is not assigned to a victim. If you are under 16 years old, you have the right to Russian state-funded legal representation in relation to the investigation of sexual offences. If you are between 16 -18 years old, you may be able to access Russian state-funded lawyer’s services, but you or your representative would need to apply for those.

The police or investigating officer will ask you to make a statement about the incident including a description of your attacker(s). They are unlikely to speak English so you would need to be accompanied by someone who speaks both English and Russian, or an interpreter. If you are accompanied by consular staff, they will not be able to act as interpreters.

The police or investigating authority will keep any clothes, which may be evidence of your incident, to present to a forensic examiner. They can also retain your electronic equipment if there are grounds for that (evidence, investigative action). The police or investigating officer will refer you, or take you if they have the available personnel, to a local Russian forensic medical centre. These centres might not be immediately accessible as they are in major cities only. Without this step, taking the matter to court is not possible.

The local authorities in Russia will not inform the UK police and will not ask the UK police to undertake checks on you.

After making a statement

If you know the offender’s whereabouts and would like to cooperate, the police or investigating officer may take you to this place to try to identify and arrest the offender.

If a suspect is unknown, you can ask the police or investigating officer to show you a photo database of registered sex offenders, to check the system of public video surveillance and / or insist on constructing a facial composite of their face. If you have injured the offender, you should inform the police or investigating officer.

If a suspect is brought to the police station, you may be asked to identify them. If you have left Russia before the suspect was apprehended, you may be able to make identification via video link

Within 48 hours of the suspect’s detention, the investigating officer should submit a request to court to obtain permission to keep the suspect in custody.

The court will decide to keep the suspect in custody or dismiss the request. If the request is dismissed, the suspect may be released on bail; placed under house arrest; released subject to a travel restriction order; or prohibited from engaging in certain actions. The court may also postpone examination of the request for up to 72 hours for the investigator to present additional evidence in support of the request.

If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Russia

British Embassy Moscow (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow), or British Consulate General Ekaterinburg (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-ekaterinburg) will be able to help you, including by:

helping you to contact your insurance company and/or your family

accompanying you to the local hospital/medical facility, where possible

providing you with lists of medical facilities (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-list-of-medical-facilitiespractitioners), English-speaking lawyers (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers) and translators (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-list-of-translators-and-interpreters)

helping you with arrangements to travel back to the UK

providing you with information on local support in the UK

It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated.

If you choose not to report the incident, you will still be able to get medical attention. If you have severe injuries, call the ambulance (112/103 from a mobile or 03 from a landline) or go to the nearest hospital / emergency room (‘travmpunkt’) and inform them of what has happened so they could perform the appropriate tests and document all injuries you have sustained. Be aware the police may still be involved as doctors are required by Russian law to report any physical injuries that may have been inflicted because of unlawful action.

The medical examination: what to expect

Where to go

Most state and private hospitals, and medical centres in Russia treat victims of rape and sexual assault.

Examination

When visiting a hospital, it is important that you tell the doctor what has happened so they can make a proper examination. The respective medical record will include the diagnosis, the doctor’s name, date of examination, your name, the offender’s name (if known), and a list of injuries sustained. It is not recommended to eat or drink before the medical examination.

The examination may include oral swabs, vaginal smear or colonoscopy, and other tests for tracing sweat and grease deposits, DNA, etc. as well as assessing possible injuries from the assault. After that, the doctor will refer you for HIV and other STD testing. Inform the doctor of any psychological issues caused by the incident.

If anyone goes to the hospital with any physical injuries, which could have been sustained because of a criminal action, doctors are legally responsible to report it to the police.

If you have reported the incident to the police, you will undergo a forensic examination upon their referral. Forensic evidence is collected only at a specific facility and only when referred to by the police or investigating officer.

A forensic report is especially important when seeking legal redress, including payment of moral and material damages. With this report, the offender can receive just punishment.

The forensic examination includes external review of injuries, bruises, broken bones, twists, skin abrasions and tearing of soft tissues. For women, this should be followed by the obstetrical-gynecological examination of genitals, vaginal smear, HIV and other STD testing as well as pregnancy testing. For men, the forensic examination includes anal and rectal examination, swabs and colonoscopy. Male or female member of the medical staff may be present during the examination. Photographs or drawings of your injuries may be taken.

If you want someone to accompany you to the hospital, you can contact British Embassy Moscow (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow), or British Consulate General Ekaterinburg (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-ekaterinburg) to ask for this.

Treatment

If you may have been exposed to HIV, you should go to a local Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS (https://o-spide.ru/kuda-obratitsya/) or urgently see an infectious disease doctor to take an HIV test and obtain HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) medication. PEP is a treatment that can prevent HIV infection.

HIV PEP medication can be purchased either from a pharmacy or from a local Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS. However, it may not always be available, especially outside cities. In Russia anti-retroviral treatment is provided free of charge only to HIV positive patients.

PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to commence or continue the 28-day treatment on return to the UK.

Emergency contraception can be purchased from a pharmacy at your own cost with no prescription or medical referral. It may not always be available, especially outside cities.

Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.

Hospital treatment and tests are covered either at your own cost or by your medical insurance. As provided by Russian law, the emergency treatment is free of charge if your injuries pose an immediate threat to your life.

If you have had medication administered in Russia, you should keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication. You can then give it to your local health provider when you return home.

If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK

The support available to you and your access to justice may vary according to where you report the crime.

In Russia, a case of rape and sexual assault may be investigated only upon complaint of a victim. You need to report the crime before you leave the country, if you want it to be investigated, and local police to obtain important evidence. While you can post your incident report to Russian authorities from abroad, your physical presence in Russia is required to collect evidence and proceed with the investigation. Russian authorities may be reluctant to interrogate a victim based abroad by video link.

If you are staying in Russia and the crime took place there, you should report the crime there. If you are a British national and you need help to report the crime, you can contact British Embassy Moscow (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-moscow), British Consulate General Ekaterinburg (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-ekaterinburg), or Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office).

If you do not report the crime in Russia, and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police.

The UK police should send the information you provide to Russia where the crime happened. It is for Russian police to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not act.

You can report the crime to the UK police even if you are not seeking an investigation in Russia. The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may still send some details of the crime to police in Russia where it happened. This might be necessary to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

Court procedures in Russia: what to expect

Upon your report the investigator may initiate a criminal case within 30 days. The preliminary investigation may last up to 2 months from the day of its opening and may be extended for up to 12 months and even further depending on the complexity of the case.

Upon completion of the preliminary investigation, the investigator makes a decision to submit the case to the public prosecutor or to close the case.

If the case goes to the public prosecutor, the public prosecutor will review the case file and, if satisfied, will forward the case to court for trial.

The prosecutor may also return the case file to the investigator for clarifications. If the case is referred for further investigation, you may be asked to give an additional statement.

If the case is sent to trial, you will normally be expected to testify in court in person.

You may leave Russia once the case is filed. If you have left Russia, you may be able to testify via video link.

If you change your mind about pressing charges after reporting the incident to the police, you can drop them without legal repercussions if:

the court and the Public Prosecutor give their consent

the offense committed against you is defined as petty offence or misdemeanour

the offender has come to terms with you and made amends for the inflicted harm

Anyone who intentionally makes false accusations to the police or withholds the truth can be prosecuted. The perpetrator may press counter charges against you claiming that your accusations are false. The court will consider these claims.

Taking your case to trial

The preliminary hearing is scheduled within thirty days after a judge receives the case materials. If the suspect is already in custody, the maximum period is fourteen days. Based on the outcomes of the preliminary hearing, the judge may return the case to the prosecutor.

If you have left Russia, you may be able to testify from the UK by video link. Without your attendance, the court will still proceed with the hearing unless your appearance in the courtroom is required. If your appearance is required, some of your expenses may be covered by the Russian state.

When the court starts the trial of your case, an unlimited number of hearings may take place before the court reaches a verdict.

If the court rules in your favor, the defendant has the right to appeal this decision.

The sentence comes into legal force if it has not been appealed within 10 days after it was delivered.

The duration of the judicial process also depends on the availability of parties and the number of appeals. There may be four appeals: one before the sentence comes into force, and three more (cassations) – after the sentence has come into force.

The trial and all court proceedings are conducted in Russian. If you do not speak Russian, an interpreter will be provided by the court, or you may commission an interpreter of your choice and at your own expense. You should inform the court in advance to allow them to make suitable arrangements.

Consular staff will not normally be able to attend the hearing with you, and you may wish to be accompanied by a friend or a family member.

Hiring a lawyer

Hiring a bilingual lawyer will help you gain timely insight into the ongoing case, ensure representation of your interests and rights in court, and timely and proper appeals.

A lawyer may facilitate communication between the authorities and you, and they should have access to the case files. Check with your lawyer if they can offer their initial service pro bono and find out the cost of their ongoing service.

A list of English-speaking lawyers in Russia (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers) is available. Consular staff do not have access to legal expertise and cannot give legal advice.

Communication

When the crime is first reported, you will communicate with the police or the investigative committee where you filed the complaint. Once the investigation is underway, the investigator takes over and communication will be with them during the investigation, and if the case goes to trial – with the Public Prosecutor during the trial.

Your lawyer will attend all legal proceedings on your behalf and keep you advised of all developments in your case.

If you are not resident in Russia, the relevant authority will communicate the progress of your case through your lawyer. If you don’t have a lawyer, the authority will communicate the developments on your case to British Embassy Moscow, or by post to your address abroad.

Legal aid

There is no legal aid in Russia.

Under Russian law, if you are under 16 years old, you have the right to pro bono legal representation in relation to the investigation of sexual offences. If you are between 16 -18 years old, you may also receive pro bono legal representation, but you or your parent or guardian need to apply for it. The Russian state would cover the cost of these pro bono legal services.

Sentencing

The alleged perpetrator may be found guilty of

rape – sexual intercourse involving the use of violence or the threat of violence

violent acts of a sexual nature – other sexual acts, excluding rape, involving the use of violence or the threat of violence

coercion to engage in sexual acts – compelling a person to engage in sexual intercourse or other acts of a sexual nature

sexual intercourse and other acts of a sexual nature with a person under the age of sixteen – committing the said acts with a person under 16 years of age

lewd acts – actions intended to satisfy the offender’s sexual desire

The sentence a judge may pass down in a rape or sexual assault criminal case normally focus on punishment and may include:

suspended prison sentence

forced labour

restriction on taking certain jobs

prison sentence for up to 20 years or a life sentence

monetary compensation to you for any injuries or losses

In Russia, a court terminates a criminal case or delivers a non-guilty verdict if there is not sufficient evidence of the crime committed or the complicity of the offender.

Compensation

In Russia, there is no state-funded compensation for physical or psychological harm resulting from violent crime.

The court may order the perpetrator to pay compensation for your injuries or losses. This may be included in the court’s verdict in the current criminal case or done through a separate civil action.

Support organisations in Russia

It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, these organisations may be able to help you:

Sisters (https://sisters-help.ru/)

Phone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm

Psychological help (available in English) to victims of sexual assault irrespective of their gender, nationality and place of residence.

POLINA.Crisis Centre for Women (https://crisiscenter.ru/)

Phone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Saint-Petersburg NGO provides psychological support (available in English) from 11am to 6pm on weekdays and Sundays, legal support from 11am to 6pm on Saturdays. The web-portal includes an online tool for reporting incidents to the police.

Map of crisis support centres for women in Russia (https://nasiliu.net/karta-pomoshhi/)

All-Russia Hotline for Victims of Domestic Violence

Phone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

The organisation provides help to female victims of domestic violence free of charge. Most of staff only speak Russian, English-speaking personnel is subject to availability.

When you return to the UK

If you believe you may be at risk of having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should ask your local health provider to test you. You should do this even if you have been tested in Russia where the assault took place.

You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice where you live.

England

NHS Choices website (https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centres)

Help after rape or sexual assault (https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/)

Rape Crisis England and Wales (https://rapecrisis.org.uk/find-a-centre/)

Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland (https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/)

Wales

New Pathways (https://www.newpathways.org.uk/)

Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) (https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/sexual-health/ynys-saff-sexual-assault-referral-centre/)

Rape Crisis England and Wales (https://rapecrisis.org.uk/find-a-centre/)

Northern Ireland

The Rowan SARC Northern Ireland (https://therowan.hscni.net/)

Nexus NI (https://nexusni.org/)

Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by UK Government officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither the UK Government nor any official of the Consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.

Medical information has been provided by The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and was accurate at the time of production (2 February 2022).