Police Registration of Sexual Offences: A Guide on Procedures and Holding Police Accountable

Abstract

This guide is designed to assist survivors of sexual violence, and anyone helping them, at the frst stage of the legal process - in reporting offences and seeking their registration by the police. Studies and real experiences reveal that survivors hesitate to approach the police out of trauma, fear, or being morally judged, made worse by police often either delaying or refusing to register complaints of sexual violence. The law makes it mandatory for the police to register all cases of sexual violence that they receive. When they refuse, they violate the survivors’ right to seek justice, the law and their duty. This leads to cases getting compromised, seriously delayed, or even lost at the very start of the legal process.