How to Report a Sex Crime Within the Family

Family sex crimes can include any form of nonconsensual or coerced sex between relatives of any age. Follow these steps to report the offense.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Get to a safe place as soon as you can. Take some essentials if possible, such as your driver's license, some cash, and a change of clothes.
2. Do not shower or brush your teeth, since this can remove important physical evidence from your body.
3. Contact RAINN (see Resources below) or your local rape crisis center. Counselors there will advise you on how to get medical help and how to report the crime to the police.
4. Call a trusted friend who will not compromise you by telling your family. It's important to have an ally on your side for support. Protect others from sex crimes by following through with prosecution.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful about whom you tell within your family. If there is any chance your relatives will reveal what you said to the perpetrator, confide in trusted friends instead.
• The perpetrator of a sex crime within the family will often use threats to ensure silence from the victim. Or certain family members may choose not to believe your story. However, it is your right to be safe in your own family. Report the crime.