Nepal: information for victims of rape and sexual assault
Information for British nationals who have been affected by rape or sexual assault abroad, including how to contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and how to access medical attention and legal advice when returning to the UK.
First steps
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.
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 Tourist police number helpline number on 1144. For information about the nearest Police station, visit the Tourist Police website.
Contact your hotel representative/trekking company if you are travelling with one
Contact the British Embassy Kathmandu or call at +977 (4237100)
British Embassy staff will be polite, patient, sensitive 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.
Reporting incident to the police
You can approach the police directly either by the emergency telephone number 1144, or in person at a police station. At the police station you can also ask them to inform the British Embassy Kathmandu (009 77 4237100) which will enable us to provide you with consular support, or you can call us directly.
You may want to ask a friend or relative to go to the police station with you – many people find it helps not to be alone.
If you have a hotel representative/trekking representative, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you. f you are far from the Embassy and we cannot get to you quickly enough, with your consent we will try to liaise with local police via telephone.
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.
Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.
Insist you get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable.
When you file your report, there is no guarantee that a female officer will be available or that you will be given somewhere private to wait. Very few police officers speak English. An interpreter can be made available but you may have to wait for one to arrive.
The types of questions that will be asked may include: the identity of the assailant, a description, where and when the incident happened, what happened, the circumstances, and if there were any witnesses. Tell the police if you think you have been drugged. If you would like to be represented by a lawyer, please tell the police this when you give your statement.
If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Nepal
The British Embassy will be able to help you. This includes helping you make arrangements to contact your insurance company, your family, 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.
If you are travelling with one, you can report the incident to your hotel representative or trekking company and ask them for assistance. Where possible and if you wish, the hotel representative or trekking company may accompany you to the local hospital.
It is your choice on whether to report the crime, but if you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated if there is a lack of forensic and other evidence.
Even if you decide not to report what has happened to the police, we would strongly suggest you see a doctor. They can determine if you have been injured in any way and also give you advice about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK
It is possible to report the crime to police in the UK. However, it is for foreign police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction. UK police forces cannot investigate crimes committed overseas. Foreign police forces can decide to request assistance from the UK police, but this cannot be guaranteed and is a very lengthy process. It can therefore be very difficult to guarantee that any justice can be accessed without reporting the crime locally.
UK police forces cannot investigate crimes committed overseas and it cannot be guaranteed that Tourist police will decide to take up the case via the UK police, and if they do, this is a very lengthy process. Please see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK at for more information.
What will the British Embassy do?
We will try to see you to offer you support as soon as possible and in private.
We will listen to you and take what you tell us seriously.
We will treat anything you tell us in confidence. We will only pass on information to other agencies (such as the police) and your friends or family if you tell us we can.
We can tell you about local police and legal procedures. However, only you can decide whether or not to report the incident to the police or take legal action – we cannot make this decision for you. Whatever you choose, we will support your wishes.
If you want to contact the police, we may be able to contact the Tourist Police station. If possible, we can ask that you are interviewed by a female police officer if that is what you would prefer, and one is available.
We can also help you arrange a medical examination if that is what you want.
We can contact your family or friends, or liaise with an insurance company, if you ask us to.
We can give you information on what professional help is available locally and in the UK, both for you and for your family. This includes a list of local lawyers and interpreters.
Your safety and health are paramount. We will support you through some of the tough decisions you now face by providing you with information and advice about local procedures. However, we cannot make decisions for you.
Whatever you decide to do the Embassy is there to support you.
Reporting the crime in Nepal – What happens next?
The British Embassy works with Nepali authorities to try and ensure survivors of rape and sexual assault receive the best possible assistance. However support, understanding and assistance from the local authorities could be different across the country. You can report the incident by visiting a local Police station.
Making a statement
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 text messages.
You can ask the Police for an English speaking officer if one is available. If you wish, you can ask for a female officer to talk with you, however this will also depend on their availability. A statement about the incident including a description of the assailant(s) will be requested by the police. Tell the police if you think you have been drugged. The police may keep clothes which may be evidence of your attack to present to a forensic examiner. Insist you get a police report.
The medical examination: what to expect
Not all hospitals in Kathmandu are equipped or recognised as being able to treat survivors of rape and sexual assault.
Please note that the purpose of the medical examination is to collect evidence, not as a medical check or to test for STDs or HIV.
The examination may involve a pelvic exam, vaginal/penile/anal swabs, fingernail scrapings, and blood samples. These samples will be used as forensic evidence. If the police have a suspect, they may also order them to be examined.
The police may also take pictures of places on your body where there is evidence of violence such as bruises or cuts, and they may keep some of your clothing as evidence.
Treatment
Medical staff at the hospital will and private physicians will be able to give advice on HIV PEP medication (‘Post-Exposure Prophylaxis’, a treatment that can prevent HIV infection). However, English is not widely spoken in government hospitals. The British Embassy will assist where possible.
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 if you decide to return to the UK.
More information on PEPs is available on the NHS. If you have problems locating PEPs where you are, we can help you contact the local authority to find out if/where they are available. HIV PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours to be effective. You may be able to start or continue treatment on your return to the UK.
Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. This is available over the counter at pharmacies as well as from the medical professional conducting the health check.
Treatment in Government hospitals are mostly free of charge however they are mostly overcrowded and does not always uphold patient’s privacy or confidentiality. The conditions are somewhat better in private hospitals however you or your insurer will need to pay for all medical treatments, consultations etc.
If you have had medication administered overseas, you may wish to keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication, so that you can let your local health provider know when you return home. Ask for a medical report in English if possible.
Police investigations in Kathmandu what to expect
The police may take you to the scene of the crime, or where you think the attacker is located to try to identify and arrest the person. If a suspect is brought to the police station you might will be asked to identify them.
Alternatively the Court may also carry out a TIP (Test Identification Parade) which is a process in which the alleged offender would be brought before you for identification.
Once police have arrested and detained someone they have up to 120 days to do an initial investigation, to collect evidence and to submit formal charges to the public prosecutor. However this period can be extended by the judge if more time is requested by the defence or prosecution.
Depending on the complexity of the case sometimes you may be encouraged to stay in Nepal whilst the investigation is in process. However, once you have completed the police report and your statement has been taken, in most cases you can request to be kept updated whilst you return to the UK.
If authorities allow you to leave Nepal we would strongly suggest you engage the services of a local English speaking lawyer who will be able to keep you update with how the case progresses list of lawyers
Court procedures: what to expect
The court will not automatically update the British Embassy on the case’s progress. The High Commission can make enquiries and seek updates from the court on your behalf, but the court is under no obligation to provide the British Embassy with information.
A lawyer will be best placed to obtain updates. You would need to give your consent for your lawyer to communicate/update the British Embassy.
There is no fixed timescale for the court process. The length of time court proceedings can take depends on a wide range of factors and could sometimes take long time.
The maximum sentence for rape charges in Nepal is three up to five years; however the nature of sentencing will depend on various factors and can also include jail time, financial penalty. Your lawyer will be best placed able to advice you in regards to sentencing.
Media may have access to the details of your incident, including your court case, and some personal information. Reporting standards in Nepal are different, which can lead to articles, which you might find distressing, appearing in the Nepali press and it may not always be possible to have these removed or amended. The Embassy can provide further support and advice on handling the media should this become an issue.
When you return to the UK
You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice.
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, even if you have been tested in the country in which the assault took place.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) offer medical, practical and emotional support. They have specially trained doctors, nurses and support works to care for you. Find your nearest SARC online.
It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, the following organisations may be able to help you.
For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK
Support organisations in UK
Rape Crisis England & Wales and Rape Crisis Scotland
Rape Crisis England & Wales and Rape Crisis Scotland are the national umbrella organisations for rape crisis centres in Great Britain. Local rape crisis centres provide crisis and long-term specialised counselling, support and independent advocacy for all women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence; centres are community-based, and independent of government and the criminal justice system.
Rape Crisis England and Wales free phone: 0808 802 9999
Rape Crisis Scotland free phone: 0141331 4180 Email:[email protected]
Nexus Northern Ireland
Nexus Northern Ireland offer counselling and support to survivors of sexual abuse, victims of sexual violence including those who have experienced rape and sexual assault. Counselling is available for anyone aged 16+ in all regions of Northern Ireland. They offer counselling in 25 centres across Northern Ireland. Tel: Belfast 028 9032 6803 Londonderry 028 7126 0566 Enniskillen 028 6632 0046 Email: [email protected]
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust is a UK-wide national umbrella agency for 130 specialist organisations for support for the impact of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse throughout the UK and Ireland.
Tel: 0808 801 0818 Email:[email protected]
Victim Support
Victim Supportis an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. Our purpose is to provide specialist help to support people to cope and recover to the point where they feel they are back on track with their lives.
Tel:0808 168 911
Survivors UK
Survivors UK supports and provides resources for men who have experienced any form of sexual violence. Their national webchat service for men and their families, partners and friends is open seven days a week and can be accessed through their website.
WhatsApp: 07491 816064 Tel: 0203 5983898 Email: [email protected]
Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC)
GCRC provide live on-line support for British nationals who are victims of sexual violence globally. GCRC support survivors by phone, online contact form, SMS, Skype/Facetime or e-mail, to give survivors the chance to have face to face support in their first language and from an organisation that specialises in the support they need.
Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC) Helpline & free phone is 08088 00 00 14 Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: This information is provided by the British Government for the convenience of enquirers, but neither Her Majesty’s Government 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. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or legal advice.
Medical information has been provided by The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rowan SARC NI and was accurate at the time of production.