This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
Rape and sexual offending are among the most serious and high-impact crimes against the person. Learning more about the impact of this abuse on victims and understanding how to take better account of the effects of trauma in our work builds trust and confidence and encourages victims to report. Consequently, the number of disclosures to police is increasing.
To support officers and staff in responding effectively to reports, the College is developing specific advice aimed at various levels of response and investigation. This includes first responders, secondary investigators, supervisors and managers and leadership. Our aim is to help our colleagues deal effectively with victims of these terrible offences and fulfil their vital roles in the investigation process.
The first of this suite of advice briefings focuses on initial response and is published below in a format that can be easily accessed using mobile technology. The publication of this briefing note decommissions the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) (2009) Briefing Note on First Response to Rape.
Offences committed abroad:
The following document remains current until further notice:
Those listed below are available to authorised users who are logged on to the restricted College Learn.
- ACPO (2009) Guidance on Investigating and Prosecuting Rape (PROTECT).
- Police investigators’ toolkit for addressing consent and associated myths in rape cases (provides rape investigating officers with in-depth guidance on challenging myths and stereotypes, including evidential requirements on matters of consent).
- Toolkit for police supervisors and managers: Addressing consent and associated myths in rape investigations and prosecutions (provides supervisors and managers of rape investigations with in-depth guidance on challenging myths and stereotypes, including matters of consent and NFA/exit strategies).
- The Crown Prosecution Service have published Easy read victims' guides for victims of rape or serious sexual assault which provides information on support available from the point a crime is committed through to the end of the criminal justice process.