Vanuatu: information for victims of rape and sexual assault
Information for British nationals who are victims of rape and sexual assault in Vanuatu.
This information is provided to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions about whether and how to:
- seek medical advice and attention
- report to local police
- engage with foreign legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault overseas
For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK.
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.
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:
- police: 1111
- ProMedical Ambulance service: 115
- your tour operator if you are travelling with one
- British Consulate General Sydney at +61 (02) 8247 22200 or British High Commission Port Vila at +61 (02) 9247 7521
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.
If you want to report the incident to the police in Vanuatu
Before you go to the police station
If you have a tour operator, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you. If you are in an area where there is a British embassy or consulate, they will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow. 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 nearest British embassy or consulate on +61 (02) 8247 2200 or +61 (02) 9247 7521 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.
At the police station
Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.
Ask for a police report and request a translation in English if applicable.
If you choose to report the crime, you may need to be prepared to speak to a male or female officer. Your choice may be limited.
Police investigations and court proceedings
Police may need to take you to the scene of the crime, or where you think the attacker is located to try to identify and arrest the person.
You may be asked by local police to make an identification of a suspect.
You may be expected to testify in court.
If you have chosen to hire a lawyer, they may be able to request for you to receive regular updates on police and court procedures.
If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Vanuatu
The British embassy or consulate will be able to help you. This includes:
- helping you to contact your insurance company and/or your family
- making arrangements to travel back to the UK
- providing you with information on local support in the UK
- providing you with lists of English-speaking lawyers
You can also report the incident to your tour operator, if you’re travelling with one. They may be able to help you, including accompanying you to the local hospital.
If you wish, and depending on location and timing, a member of consular staff may be able to accompany you.
It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated.
If you want to report the incident to police in the UK
The support available to you, and your access to justice may vary according to where you report the crime.
In many countries, you need to report the crime before you leave the country, if you want it to be investigated and police to obtain important evidence.
If you are staying in Vanuatu where the crime took place, you should report the crime in the Vanuatu. If you are a British national and you need help to report the crime, you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London.
If you do not report the crime in Vanuatu and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police.
The UK police should send the information you provide to officials in Vanuatu. However, it is for foreign police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not take action.
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 police in Vanuatu. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.
The medical examination and treatment: what to expect
Where to go
Hospitals and medical centres in Vanuatu may be limited in the immediate support and treatment they can offer victims of rape and sexual assault.
You may need to travel to a neighbouring country for a full forensic examination, access to treatment or medication.
If time and location permits, you can request for a consular support person to accompany you to the hospital. Or request on your behalf for a member of your tour company to assist.
Treatment
Medical staff should be able to provide appropriate advice regarding HIV PEP medication (‘Post-exposure prophylaxis’, a treatment that can prevent HIV infection).
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.
The emergency contraception pill may be available over the counter. Speak to your doctor, hospital medical staff or private chemist/pharmacies about availability.
Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.
In most cases, hospital treatment and tests will likely need to be paid for by the patient. If you have travel insurance you should keep the receipts to claim on your return to the UK if your insurance cover includes these items.
If you have had medication administered overseas, 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.
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
Get help and advice on the NHS website: Help after rape and sexual assault - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Scotland
Archway SARC: phone 0141 211 8175
Wales
New Pathways SARC: phone 01685 379 310
Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Northern Ireland
Rowan SARC Northern Ireland: phone 0800 389 4424
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.
Support organisations in Vanuatu
It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, these organisations may be able to help you.
Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC)
PO Box 1358,
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Landmark: VMC is located at No. 2, the road entering L’Houstalet just after Sun Production Ltd.
- 24-hour toll-free number: 161
- working hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday, 8am to 12pm
- VMC provide free confidential counselling for women and children, community education and legal services
Kam Purem Hed (KPH) Clinic- Wan Smolbag Theatre
Rte to Mele,
Port Vila, Vanuatu
KPH provide targeted information and promotion of services to specific, vulnerable groups such as men who have sex with men and sex workers.
Vanuatu Police Department- Family Protection Unit
Vanuatu Police Department,
Kumul Highway, Port Vila
Port Vila, Efate: 5552948, 22222 or 111 (ext. 2806/2834)
Luganville, Santo: 36723 or 111 (ext. 6236)
Isangel, Tanna: 111 (ext. 8281)
Lakatoro, Malekula: 111 (ext. 7466)
Saratamata, Ambae: 111 (ext. 9520)
They investigate domestic violence and sexual assault offences.
Disclaimer
This information has been prepared by UK government 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 UK government officials 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).