Reporting to the Police
- A report can be made through the Police Scotland website by way of a 'Contact Us' online form submission, by contacting 101 to report non-emergency matters and general enquiries or by calling 999 in an emergency.
If you make a report to the Police, you can ask for someone from the University to accompany you. Student Services will support you through this process.
The Police are committed to providing a sensitive service which takes account of the trauma of sexual violence. To learn more about how Police Scotland respond to reports of sexual misconduct, see ‘Information and help after rape and sexual https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2016/02/information-help-rape-sexual-assault/documents/00494993-pdf/00494993-pdf/govscot%3Adocument/00494993.pdf (PDF, 316 KB) document.
If you contact the Police regarding a sexual misconduct report:
- An initial report will be taken - you can ask to speak to a female or male officer and can take someone with you for support.
- If you report a sexual offence the police may wish to seize clothing and other items relevant to the police investigation.
- A Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO) will be assigned to you. This is a specialised officer who is trained in discussing sexual incidents and has insight into the impact that trauma can have on a person.
- A witness statement will be taken and a medical examination can be arranged where appropriate.
- Police Officers will carry out detailed enquiries with any potential witnesses and interview the person responsible. On the conclusion of the police investigation;
- if there is insufficient evidence, the case will not be reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and you will be informed of this.
- if there is sufficient evidence, the Police will send a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service who will make a preliminary decision on the case.
- Police Scotland will ensure you have the opportunity to obtain support from specialist external services, for example Rape Crisis.
- Please note: if, at a later date, you do not want to go ahead with a criminal case, your wishes will be taken into account however the police may continue with the investigation.