Central African Republic: information for victims of rape and sexual assault
Updated 26 December 2023
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If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault is always wrong – no matter who commits it or where it happens. It is traumatic and it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Do not be afraid to get help.
You can contact the British Embassy in Democratic Republic of Congo on +243 81 556 6200 / +44 1908 51 6666.who will be able to provide you with remote consular support. There is no British Embassy in Central African Republic
For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK.
1. First steps
It is your choice about what you do next, but this information may help you in coming to a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be. You can:
- contact the police of Central African Republic. For a crime to be investigated, you need to report it to the local police before you leave the Central African Republic.
- contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one and ask them for assistance. Where possible, and if you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the police station as well as local hospital.
- contact the British Embassy in Kinshasa on +243 81 556 6200 or +44 1908 51 6666. Embassy staff will be empathetic, and non-judgmental, and can provide information on local police and medical procedures. Anything you tell them will be treated in the strictest confidence. They can contact your family or friends for you if you wish
2. If you want to report the incident to the police in Central African Republic
You will need to report the crime while you are in the Central African Republic for the police to investigate the case.
If you have a tour operator, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you. You will always be able to speak to trained consular staff on the telephone 24/7.
If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the British Embassy in Kinshasa on +243 81 556 6200 or +44 1908 51 6666 and they can offer you consular support.
If you choose to report the crime, try to do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained. Washing yourself or your clothes may make it difficult for the police to obtain forensic evidence.
If you change your clothes, think about taking those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.
You should:
- tell the police if you think you have been drugged
- insist you get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable
3. What to expect if you report the incident to the police:
Police officers may speak English, but generally they speak French. It is not usual to find an interpreter at the police station. However, you can request one. You should wait for the interpreter to accompany you before giving your statement.
The British embassy in Kinshasa will be able to help you. This includes helping you to contact your insurance company, your family, making arrangements to travel back to the UK and/or provide you with information on local support in the UK.
They can provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers and translators.
- English speaking Lawyers in Central African Republic
- English speaking translators and interpreters in Central African Republic
- English speaking medical facilities in Central African Republic
If you are travelling with a tour operator, you can also report the incident to your tour operator and ask them for assistance. If you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the local hospital.
It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated.
Consider appointing a local lawyer to accompany you when you provide your statement to the police. See our list of English-speaking lawyers in Central African Republic who may be able to help you.
It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you do not report it, however, your case may not be investigated.
4. If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK
The support available to you, and your access to justice may vary according to where you report the crime. You need to report the crime before you leave the country, if you want it to be investigated and police to obtain important evidence.
You can report the crime to the UK police even if you are not seeking an investigation abroad. The UK police can offer you access to victim support in the UK. They may still send some details of the crime to the Police of CAR, where it happened. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.
5. Reporting the crime in Central African Republic - what happens next
If you choose to report the crime, try to do so as soon as possible, so forensic evidence can be retained. Washing yourself or your clothes may make it difficult for the police to obtain forensic evidence.
If you change your clothes, think about taking those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts and social media messages.
Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.
Try to get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable.
You should:
- tell the police if you think you have been drugged
- insist you get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable. see our list of English speaking translators and interpreters in Central African Republic
6. The medical examination – what to expect
If you have been sexually assaulted you should consider getting medical help as soon as possible.
Local tour operators can assist in advising you on which hospital to go to or on the location of a local pharmacy.
7. Treatment
You may be at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Emergency anti-HIV medication, called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may prevent HIV infection. Most government hospitals can advise you on PEP medication, however, English is not widely spoken in government hospitals.
HIV PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to commence or continue the 28 day treatment on return to the UK
You or your insurer will need to pay for all medical treatment and consultations.
Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours to be effective. This is available over the counter at pharmacies in all provinces and government hospitals
If you have had medication administered, you should keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication, so that you let your local health provider know when you return home.
8. When you return home to the UK
You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice where you live
| England | NHS Choices website, or search the internet for ‘NHS SARC’ | Rape and sexual assault referral centres | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Archway SARC: phone 0141 211 8175 | Archway Glasgow | |
| Wales | New Pathways SARC: phone 01685 379 310 | New Pathways - Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) | Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board |
| Northern Ireland | Rowan SARC Northern Ireland: phone 0800 389 4424 | The Rowan - Sexual Assault Referral Centre |
Read our advice on returning to the UK after rape and sexual assault abroad.
If you believe you may be at risk of having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you should ask your local health provider to test you. You should do this even if you have been tested in the country that the assault took place in.
It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, you can contact any local organisation that deals with Rape and sexual assault matters, they may be able to help you.
9. Disclaimer
This information has been prepared by HMG officials who are not legally or medically trained. It should therefore never be used as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. It is intended to help British nationals overseas make their own informed decisions. Neither HMG nor any official of the Consulate accept liability for any loss or damage which you might suffer as a result of relying on the information supplied.
Medical information has been provided by The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and was accurate at the time of production (02/02/2022).