When should I report my rape?

It’s important to know that there is no right or wrong moment. Many people feel upset, confused, or unsure about what to do next—and that’s completely normal. What matters most is your safety, your health, and your well-being. Take care of that first.

If you feel unsafe or threatened, put your safety above everything else. Find a safe place, reach out to someone you trust, or call a helpline for support.

If you feel safe and able, reporting as soon as possible can help medical professionals support you and collect important evidence. Evidence like DNA, clothing, or other items is best gathered within 48 hours of the assault

If you want to preserve evidence but aren’t ready to talk to the police, you can visit a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) or your hospital; they can help store evidence and offer you medical care. This is best done within 48 hours.

If you want to report using Enough you can make a detailed written record and save it in an encrypted account, and you can choose to collect a DNA sample quickly and easily, and post it to the lab. This preserves your options to decide if you wish to take action later, and helps create deterrence. It is also best done within 48 hours

The choice about when—or whether—to report is yours. There is no deadline for how you should feel or what decision you must make.