If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. This page is for when you are safe and ready to understand your options.
If your assault happened in the last 24 hours
If you can, try not to do the following before going to the hospital or reporting to police:
- Shower, bathe, or wash your hands
- Use the bathroom (urinate or have a bowel movement)
- Change or wash your clothes, including underwear
- Brush your teeth
- Eat or drink
- Wash, brush, or style your hair
Shock and trauma affect how we respond, and doing any of the actions listed above are not preventing you from accessing care. You can still go to hospital for forensic evidence collection up to 7 days after the assault. In Canada, you can still report to law enforcement at any time.
If you haven't washed the clothes you were wearing during the assault (e.g. underwear) you can bring them with you to the hospital or police. If you're able to, place them in a paper bag to help preserve them.
One thing worth knowing before anything else
There is no time limit to report sexual assault in Canada. It doesn't matter if it happened last week or twenty years ago β reporting is still an option. You can also report multiple incidents at once. There's no limit on that either.
If you are under 18 and thinking about reporting what happened, it's important to know that in many places, police may have to involve a parent, guardian, or child protection services because of mandatory reporting laws. That doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, it just means there are rules about how adults must respond when a young person may be at risk. If you're worried about how this might affect you, it can help to talk things through first with a support person, advocate, or legal advisor so you know what to expect and can make a decision that feels right for you.
You don't have to hold this alone. Reaching out to a safe adult outside your family β like a school counsellor, teacher, doctor, or another trusted person who isn't connected to the person who hurt you β can be a first step toward getting support and understanding your options.
Before deciding how to report, you can go to a hospital or sexual assault treatment centre to receive care and have a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) completed. This allows evidence to be collected and stored, so you have some time to decide if and when you want to make a police report.
If you're at a hospital or sexual assault treatment centre, staff can ask police to come and take a report there. This is often done in a more private setting, and you can have a support person with you.
You can also choose not to speak to police while you're at the hospital. Many centres can still collect and store evidence through a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit without involving police right away, so you have time to decide later if you want to report.
If you're unsure, you can ask the healthcare team to explain your options before anything is done β they should respect your pace and your decisions.
How to report
You have options β tap each one to learn more.
For emergencies. All 911 calls are audio recorded and will be provided to the Crown and all lawyers involved in the case.
Attend the nearest police station when you're ready.
- The main desk area may not be private, and there can be wait times due to officer availability. It can help to bring a support person.
- You can call ahead to request an officer who specializes in sexualized crimes.
Request to meet with an officer at a location you choose β including somewhere in the community.
- Ask for accommodations if you need them: translation, accessibility support, or a support person.
- Write down the officer's badge number and name during the call.
Some police services now accept online reports.
- You'll need a safe email address the person who assaulted you can't access.
- Once filed, you'll receive a confirmation number and be contacted by an officer for follow-up.
What happens after you report?
This is your first conversation with the police. Officers will likely be recording your interview and taking notes. They'll ask you to describe what happened generally, then ask more detailed questions.
You can ask for accommodations at any time. This may include a translator, a support person, or confirmation that the camera is on and recording.
Your personal information β such as your address or phone number β will be redacted before being shared with the Crown or any lawyers.
This is a more detailed statement taken after the initial report. It may be used as evidence in court.
What's available at the police station?
Not every community has all of these options, but here's what you can ask for.
Emotional support, safety planning, help accessing community resources, and guidance navigating the legal system.
In some communities, specialized support is available to accompany you through interviews and explain the process β including advocates from First Nations organizations and band representatives. Reach out to the organizations you feel comfortable connecting with.
Immediate access to crisis mental health support and connection to longer-term care.
Sex Crimes Units, Gender-Based Violence Units, Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Units, Human Trafficking Units, and Victim Liaison Officers are trained to handle cases with more sensitivity and care.
Help you understand the legal process and what to expect in court, with ongoing support throughout.
Language interpretation and disability accommodations are available on request.
