Abuse & The Law

Only you can decide whether or not to report the assault to the Police. If you don’t know what to do we can talk to you about what it would mean and what your options are. You can report the attack to the police straightway, later, or not at all if you choose. If you report an attack soon after it has happened, however, it may give the police an opportunity to get physical evidence against your attacker that might not be available if you report the crime later.

Telling the police

If you choose to report the crime, a specially trained police officer will take basic detail from you. If the assault happened recently, the police will arrange an examination by specifically trained medical staff to collect evidence. The police will take further details from you only when you feel ready.

You will be told the name of the officer dealing with your case. The police will let you know if someone is caught and charged and whether or not they are released on bail. You should tell the police if you are worried that the attacker will harass or intimidate you.

Contacting Cumbria Police

In an emergency, contact the police on 999 or text 18001 101

For non-emergency support, you can contact the police by dialling 101

Find out more about police support available through Cumbria Constabulary’s website