What the law guarantees you.

From the moment you report a sexual offence, you have lifetime anonymity by law (Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992). Your name, address, photograph or any detail that could identify you cannot be published in the UK. Anyone who breaches this can be prosecuted.

You have the right to access an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) — a trained specialist who provides emotional and practical support throughout reporting, investigation, trial and beyond. ISVAs are free, independent of the police, and you can refer yourself directly — you do not need to have reported and you do not need anyone else to refer you.

Under the Victims' Code of Practice (England & Wales), you have the right to be told within 5 working days of key decisions: arrest, charge, bail, release, court dates, verdict and sentence. You can ask for a single point of contact.

You are automatically eligible for special measures in Crown Court. Options include: giving evidence behind a screen, via live video link from a separate room, having the public gallery cleared, pre-recorded evidence-in-chief (ABE interview), and pre-recorded cross-examination (Section 28).

Section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 restricts when the defence can ask about your previous sexual behaviour. The defence must apply to the judge for permission, and such questioning is only allowed in very limited circumstances.

You have the right to make a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) describing how the crime has affected you emotionally, physically, financially and socially. It can be considered at sentencing and parole hearings. You can update it at later stages.

If the police decide not to investigate, or the CPS decides not to charge or to stop a prosecution, you have the right to ask for that decision to be reviewed under the Victims' Right to Review schemes. Requests should normally be made within 3 months.

You may be entitled to compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), even if no one is charged or convicted. Claims must normally be made within 2 years (though there are exceptions, especially for childhood abuse).

You have the right to be referred to support services — including specialist sexual violence services like Rape Crisis — at any stage. Support is free, confidential, and you do not need to have reported to the police.

If you feel you have not received the rights in the Victims' Code, you can complain to the agency involved (e.g. police, CPS) and, if unresolved, escalate to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman or the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).