Guidance

Information for Survivors of Rape and Sexual Assault in Chad

Updated 7 December 2023

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 local police (Police Nationale) on 2121
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact the British High Commission in Yaounde on +44 207 008 5000. 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 Chad

You will need to report the crime while you are in Chad for the police to investigate the case.

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 WhatsApp/SMS texts.

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 too.

If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the British High Commission in Yaounde on +44 207 008 5000 and they can offer you consular support.

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

2.1 What to expect if you report the incident to the police

Every police station will have male and female police officers to talk to. The majority of Chadian police officers do not speak English, but you can request an interpreter before speaking to police.

The police will initially lead the investigation, before passing on their findings to the investigating judge who will continue from there. The police will ask for your testimony and collect DNA evidence. They may also examine your clothes. In addition, they will ask you to describe:

• the perpetrator
• the crime scene
• the details of the assault

Consider appointing a local lawyer to accompany you when you provide your statement to the police. See our list of lawyers in Chad who may be able to help you.

You will not need to surrender your passport while the police carry out their investigation, but the police may take photocopies or scans of your documents.

2.2 If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Chad

There is no Consulate in Chad but the British High Commission in Yaounde can still 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

If you are travelling with one, 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. You do not need to report the crime to police in order to receive medical attention.

2.3 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. In Chad, 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 Chad, where the crime took place, you should report the crime in that country. If you are a British national and you need help to report the crime, you can contact the British High Commission in Yaounde on +44 207 008 5000 or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London on +44 20 7136 6857.

If you do not report the crime in Chad, where it happened, 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 Chad. However, it is for Chadian 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 Chad. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

3. Reporting the crime in Chad - 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.

For the investigation to be successful, you will need to give as much information as possible to the police officers. The statement and description are only for investigation matters. The Chad Police may take you to the scene of the crime, or they may ask you to identify the suspect in an identity parade at a police station.

The Chad police may keep your clothes or electronic equipment (like mobile device or laptop) if they need them for forensic examination.

The police will not send you to the local hospital for a forensic examination. However, you can easily access hospitals in major cities which can conduct physical examinations for you.

The Chadian police will not inform the UK police of your assault. If you would like the UK police to be informed, please contact the British High Commission in Yaoundé on +44 207 008 5000 or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London on +44 20 7136 6857.

4. The medical examination – what to expect

All hospitals and medical centres treat victims of rape and sexual assault. Hospitals will automatically report the results of any examination to police.

The medical staff carry out examinations. They will likely take some pictures to help the police investigation. A female doctor or nurse will be present during the examination.

4.1 Treatment

You can get emergency contraception from the hospital or the pharmacy. A prescription is normally needed before you purchase the contraception, but it is also possible to have it without a prescription if buying from the hospital. You will have to pay for emergency contraception and medical treatment in Chad. Check your travel insurance policy to see if it covers medical costs. Alternatively, you can pay for your treatment using cash.

Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.

Hospital medical staff give advice on HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis medication. PEP is available in pharmacies or hospitals, and it is a prescribed medicine.

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.

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.

5. Police investigations in Chad – what to expect

The police may take you to the scene of the crime, or they may ask you to identify the suspect in an identity parade at a police station.

If identified, the suspect will be placed in police custody and will be brought as quickly as possible before the prosecutor.

You will need to give an investigative statement before the investigating judge.

You can leave Chad once the case is filed and may leave the country at any time during the procedure, but there may be a risk that the process will be carried out in absentia, therefore, it is advisable to stay in the country until the case is concluded.

6. Court procedures – what to expect

In order to take the case to trial, you will first need to file a complaint to the police or file a criminal complaint with the Court of Instruction. You will need to file these complaints in Chad. You can write them in either French or Arabic. You can request the help of an interpreter if needed.

If the suspect is brought to trial, you will need to testify in court after the offender is charged and enters their plea. You will need to do this in person, though your lawyer can do it during the trial phase if you so wish. Authorities in Chad will not assist with your travel and accommodation arrangements if you choose to attend the trial.

If you choose not to take a lawyer, you still have the right to be informed of the case. If you do not have a lawyer, the Public Prosecutor will act as one.

If the case is referred to further investigations, you may be asked to give an additional statement.

The courts can order the offender to pay compensation after being sentenced by the criminal court. This amount can be quantified in terms of costs incurred or losses by the victim or as damages.

False accusations can lead to legal action against you. But this will happen at the end of the dismissal order and when the case has become final, for the offense of slanderous denunciation.

6.1 Trial procedures

The trial will be carried out in French, but you have the right to hire an interpreter.

If possible, it is advisable to be present during the investigation phase, as well as in the oral trial. After this stage, if you have appointed a lawyer, your lawyer can represent you in court.

The length of time it takes for a case to come to trial will vary, depending on the circumstances of the case. The length of Rape and Sexual Assault trials will also differ between cases. There may be a long gap between the end of a trial and final sentencing.

6.2 Hiring a lawyer

A private lawyer can advise, assist, defend, and help seek prosecution of your case. They can also represent you at the trial stage. The lawyer will also communicate with you at all stages of the case. You can find a list of lawyers based in Chad here.

There are lawyers who specialise in rape and sexual assault cases.

If you are not resident in Chad, you can give your lawyer’s address as your local address.

6.3 Communication

You can get updates on your case through the police, the trial court, the prosecutor’s office or your private lawyer.

6.4 Legal aid

All victims of rape and sexual assault have the right to legal assistance. If you are unable or unwilling to hire a private lawyer, the State provides you with one ex officio and free of charge.

6.5 Sentencing

Sentences are weighted in favour of punishment and rehabilitation.

The judges can dictate sentence of convictions or acquittals. In Chad, rape faces a sentence:

• from 8 to 15 years, simple rape (Article 349 of the Criminal Code)
• from 10 to 20 years, rape resulting in mutilation, disability or permanent disability (Article 350 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code)
• from 20 to 30 years, rape resulting in the death of the victim (Article 350 paragraph 4 of the Criminal Code). The alleged perpetrator is acquitted if not found guilty

6.6 Compensation

The courts can order the offender to pay compensation for any injuries or losses, either after they have been convicted in a criminal court or because of civil action.

7. 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’ https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Rape%20and%20sexual%20assault%20referral%20centres/LocationSearch/364
Scotland	Archway SARC: phone 0141 211 8175 https://archway.sandyford.org/what-is-archway/
Wales	New Pathways SARC: phone 01685 379 310 New Pathways Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
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.

8. 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 because 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).