Reporting sexual assault in Scotland - what happens?

[reportingandscared]

I was sexually assaulted a few years ago, I never did anything at the time however recent events in my life have made me realise I really need to tell the police.

I've spoken to a rape crisis advocacy worker this week, who has told me she will contact Police Scotland, to arrange a time and a safe place where I can give a statement.

I'm a bit worried. It happened a few years ago, my memories are a bit hazy now. The advocacy worker has told me she can go with me, but a close friend has also offered to go with me today.

The advocacy worker said the police will likely ask very in depth questions though and I don't want that friend knowing those things about me/my experience. Would it be OK to ask my friend to sit outside the room? I don't even imagine she'd be allowed in the room in the first place.

If I can't remember specific details like dates is that OK? It happened somewhere where records will exist regarding dates and who was involved.

I'm scared that the police will think I'm lying or looking for attention, or making It up. I'm finding my own mind going over and over things this week and wondering if I've made it up, but I've checked old diaries and even old Mumsnet posts and what I'm remembering I posted about on here back then, so I can't be making it up.

They will generally talk things through with you, you’ll need to be able to talk about what happened and tell them who would have records of dates etc. Don’t worry about your memory being hazy, they’ll ask some questions to try and clarify things but if you don’t remember, just say so. They won’t necessarily take a full statement from you given it’s historic, they’ll want enough information to decide whether there’s enough to take things forward into a full investigation.

I reported historic abuse and the police were fantastic, very sensitive and respectful. You can have someone with you for support, but yes they may hear things you’d rather they didn’t because you have no way of knowing what the police will ask that you need to answer. Your friend could wait outside if you’d prefer.

Good luck, it’s a hard thing to do.

I remember your name from a previous thread about this a couple of years ago I think . I remember asking this on here a couple of years ago and pulling out from reporting as too much else going on.

Thank you; think will definitely ask her if she doesn’t mind waiting outside, I’m close to her but not that close that I’d want to be discussing exact details of what happened in front of her.

thank you and I’m so sorry you’ve been through this too