Guidance

China: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

Updated 14 August 2026

First steps

If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault are 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 what you do next, but this information may help you to make a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be.

You can:

• call the police emergency number on 110 and/or the ambulance emergency number on 120
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact consular staff at the British Embassy Beijing, the British Consulate General Shanghai or the British Consulate General Guangzhou in China.

Consular staff will be empathetic and non-judgmental. They 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.

For information on support available in the UK, see Victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.

If you want to report the incident to the police in China

You will need to be in China to report the incident.

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 be able to speak to trained consular staff on the telephone 24/7.

You may wish to visit the police station with a lawyer and/or your own interpreter. A lawyer will not be assigned to you by the local authorities. You should instruct your own lawyer if necessary. Those on our list of English-speaking lawyers and translators/interpreters may be able to assist.

If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the nearest British embassy or consulate on +86 (0)10 5192 4000 so you can get 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, take those you were wearing to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.

If you feel able to do so, write down what happened during the assault and take notes with you to the police station. You should keep a copy for your own records.

Potential risks

Extramarital sex, homosexuality and use of alcohol are not considered criminal offences in China.

Consuming drugs is a violation of public security and carries certain penalties including fines, administrative detention and deportation. You may face one or more of these penalties if you test positive for illegal drugs during the investigation process, even though you are the victim of rape and/or sexual assault.

The charge of rape is an automatic state prosecution. After you’ve reported the crime, you will not be able to drop the charge. Your attacker will be able to press counter charges against you for false accusation. The police will investigate the counter charge. In these circumstances, you may not be allowed to leave China and you should get permission from the police.

Police officers

There may not be a female officer available at the police station unless requested in advance.  Local police officers may not speak English. You may have to wait for an English-speaking officer or an interpreter to arrive at the police station before you can give a full statement.

Consular staff can help in trying to request a female, English-speaking officer in advance. Alternatively, you can do this yourself or ask your lawyer to request one on your behalf.

The police should treat you with respect, but we are aware of occasions when they have not.

The embassy and consulates have received feedback from some victims indicating that they found the process of reporting the assault challenging at times and markedly different from the procedures they would expect in the UK.

Making a statement and submitting evidence

You should ask for a police report and request a translation in English if applicable but note the authorities may not be able to provide you with one. If you have appointed a lawyer, they may be able to arrange a notarised translation for you as well as provide an informal translation at the time. Alternatively, you can have the report translated by an official translator.

At the police station, the police may ask to see your passport and make a copy of it. You will need to make a detailed statement, including a description of the attacker(s). You will be asked to provide details of the incident, including:

• if there was sexual intercourse (if yes, was it forceful)
• if you have sustained injuries
• description of the crime, for example time of incident, location (if known), vehicles involved
• description of the attacker
• if there were any witnesses

The police will take you to the nearest hospital with medical facilities to conduct a forensic examination and will keep any clothes or electronic equipment, voice or video recordings or photographs, which may be used as evidence of your attack to present to the forensic examiner.

You will not be asked to surrender your passport while the investigation is carried out, but the police will need to check it and make copies.

Available support

If you wish, and depending on location and timing, a member of consular staff may be able to accompany you to the police station to provide support and help with basic communication. Consular staff cannot provide formal translation and cannot sit in on the police interview when you give your statement. The police in China will not inform UK police or ask them to undertake checks on you.

After making a statement

The police may remind you to be careful about sharing information to avoid details being disclosed to any unintended third parties such as the perpetrator, but this does not mean that you cannot speak to your friends or family. Normally the police would not stop victims from communicating with the people that they trust .

The police may ask you to visit the scene of the crime. You can refuse to do this, but it may reduce the likelihood of your attacker being convicted. The police will continue to investigate even if you do not go to the crime scene with them. The police may also ask you to go with them to where the attacker might be located, but you can refuse this request.

If a suspect is identified, you may be asked to identify them from a selection of photographs.

The criminal justice system in China works very differently from the UK. After an initial investigation, the police submit the case to the Prosecutor’s Office. If the Prosecutor’s Office approves the arrest, the police are allowed more time to carry out a full investigation. When the investigation is finished, the police submit the case to the Prosecutor’s Office again. If more evidence is needed, the case can be sent back to the police for further investigation, which may take several months. Once the Prosecutor’s Office is satisfied, the case is sent to court. It can take several months for a court hearing to be scheduled, and the verdict may be announced at a later hearing. The process takes at least three months and most conclude within 12 months, depending on the complexity of the case. Cases that are more complex can take longer.

The public prosecutor will interview you and take your statement. Lawyers cannot give the statement on your behalf. If you have chosen to appoint a lawyer, they can access the case file, including any case notes, after the case is passed to the prosecutor.

You will be allowed to leave China after the case is filed but the police may contact you for further assistance, especially if the prosecutor returns the case to them for further investigation. You should check with the police first before making any travel plans.

If you do not want to report the incident to the police in China

The British Embassy or Consulate will be able to help you, including by:

• helping you to contact your insurance company or your family;
• accompanying you to the local hospital or medical facility, where possible;
• providing you with lists of  medical facilities, English-speaking lawyers and translators;
• helping you with arrangements to travel back to the UK;
• providing you with information on local support in the UK;

You can also report the incident to your tour operator if you are travelling with one. They may be able to help you, including accompanying you to the local hospital.

It’s your choice whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated. We cannot report the crime for you, but we will support you with your decision. You may wish to write down what happened so that you have your own record that you can share with the police if you want to report the assault at a later date.

You will still be able to get medical attention, including tests, treatment and prophylaxis (treatment to prevent disease). The hospital will not report the matter to the police without your consent.

The medical examination: what to expect

If you take medication abroad, you should keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication. You can then give it to your local health provider when you return home.

Where to go

Who carries out the examination depends on whether or not you have reported or wish to report the crime:

• if you choose to report the crime, the police can pay for the medical checks but they won’t pay for HIV PEP (HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis) medication. The checks are usually very basic, mainly focusing on evidence gathering. A forensic team in the Forensic Clinical Centre or a designated hospital will conduct physical examinations, specimen samples and take photographs

• if you do not wish to report the crime, the physical examination will be conducted by doctors. Our list of  medical facilities may be of help. If you decide to report the crime later, you should check with the case handling authority (usually the police station covering the location where the attack took place) whether it will accept the doctors’ reports as evidence.

Not all hospitals and medical centres are able to help victims of rape and sexual assault as HIV PEP are only available at designated hospitals.

Examination

In some hospitals, the following tests are carried out routinely as part of the examination process. In others, you may have to request them separately:

STDs

• chlamydia testing
• gonorrhoea testing
• wet prep screening for Candida, bacterial vaginosis / Trichomonas
• blood test for Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody
• blood test for syphilis (RPR)
• HIV blood test

Pregnancy (women or girls of child-bearing age only)

• immediate testing to rule out pre-existing pregnancy

Physical injuries

• pictures of external injuries (should be taken only with your consent)

• scans of internal injuries, including X-ray and/or CT scan

If you want someone to accompany you to the hospital, you can contact the embassy or consulate or your tour operator to ask for this. We will do our best to accompany you, where timing and location allow.

HIV prevention

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication (a treatment that can prevent HIV infection) needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to start or continue the 28-day treatment when you return to the UK.

HIV PEPs are only available at designated hospitals. Contact the Home of Red Ribbon organisation on +86 (0)10 84322250 (English-speaking volunteers available) to find the nearest hospital that provides HIV PEP services. If you are unable to do this, we can help you contact the local authority.

You may want to check with the hospital whether they are licenced to prescribe international or UK medication. Consular staff will be able to assist you in communicating with the hospital if you wish.

More information about HIV, AIDS and HIV PEP is in the Information on HIV for foreigners in China guide (PDF, 7.9 MB), produced by UNAIDS, the Home of Red Ribbon and WHOCC- BDH.

Emergency contraception

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

Doctors will be able to prescribe emergency contraception to you after the examination. You will need to pay for this.

In China, emergency contraception is also available to buy over the counter without prescription.

Paying for treatment

The UK government does not pay for medical treatment abroad. You will need to pay, usually before you receive treatment. You should check with your travel or medical insurance provider to find out what costs they will cover.

If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK

The support available to you and your access to justice may depend on where you report the crime.

You may need to report the crime before you leave China if you want it to be investigated and police to obtain important evidence.

If you live in or are remaining in   China and the crime took place there, you should report the crime there. If you need help to report the crime, you can contact the nearest British embassy or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London.

If you do not report the crime in China 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 China. However, foreign police forces decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not take action. From our experience, the police in China will not investigate the crime unless you report it in China.

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 China. This might be necessary to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

Court procedures in China: what to expect 

If a suspect is ordered to trial, you will not need to testify in court unless you wish to do so, though please note that you would not be able to testify from outside of China. Your written statement(s) will be submitted on your behalf.

If the case is referred for further investigation, you may have to provide an additional statement. You will have to be in China to do this.

Rape and sexual assault cases are not open to the public.

If you do not appoint a lawyer, you will need to provide a local address and telephone number to the police, so they can update you on the progress of your case.

If you have appointed a lawyer, they can seek damages, alongside the criminal proceedings, or by submitting a separate civil case.

If you file a criminal-affiliated civil litigation, the criminal judge will decide and award the damages as actually suffered. You may appoint a lawyer to do this on your behalf. You can do this yourself if you can speak and write Chinese.

Trial procedures

The court may send you notice of the trial date. This may also be published on the official court website (if they have one) or you can ask the prosecutor or court. If you have appointed a lawyer, they will be able to do this for you. If you do not appoint a lawyer, the court may send the notice of the trial date to the embassy or consulates if they are not able to contact you. Trials will be conducted in Chinese and can last half a day or more. Usually, a court interpreter will only be present if the accused is a foreign national.

If the accused is found guilty, the sentence will be announced after the trial and this can take several months. Defendants have the right to appeal once, within 10 days of the verdict. The appeal process usually takes at least two to four months but can last longer.

Sentencing

The sentence will depend on whether your attacker is found guilty of rape (强奸) or sexual assault (猥亵). For rape cases, the sentence is three to 10 years in prison.

For sexual assault cases the maximum sentence is five years unless there are other aggravating factors. For rape and sexual assault, sentences can be increased if the victim is a child. A non-custodial rehabilitation sentence can be passed down for sexual assaults judged to be minor.

If the alleged perpetrator is found not guilty, they will be released. The public prosecutor or victim can appeal this verdict.

Hiring a lawyer

You may wish to hire a lawyer. They can give legal advice, communicate with the authorities to track progress of your case, review case files, present during the trial and seek damages on your behalf.

Lawyers usually charge for their services before the case goes to court.

A lawyer will not be involved during the investigation because the process and case file will not be disclosed to them until the case is passed to the prosecutor.

There are no lawyers who specialise in rape and sexual assault cases, however there are lawyers who specialise in criminal cases with extensive experience in this area.

You can get help from English-speaking lawyers in China.

Legal aid

If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can apply for a pro bono legal aid service from the justice bureau, which would cover most of the lawyer’s services. However, in practice, it may be difficult for you to secure one, as a foreign national.

Compensation

The courts can order the offender to pay compensation for any injuries or losses, but you or your lawyer will need to request this from the court. There is no state-funded compensation scheme.

Points of contact

During the investigation stage, the police officer in charge of your case is likely to be your main point of contact. The prosecution and the court will also communicate with you directly during their respective stages. This will be in the form of notices and telephone calls.

If you appoint a private lawyer, you may need to decide whether you wish to receive updates and other communications directly from the case-handling authority or through the lawyer.

You will need to give a local residence address. If you are not living in China, this could be your lawyer’s office address.

Support organisations in China

It is your choice whether to let people know about the assault. There are no organisations or centres in China that support victims of rape and sexual assault specifically, but if you are ready to talk about it, these organisations may be able to help you.

Lifeline, or +86 400 821 1215

Lifeline China is a volunteer based non-profit organisation with an English-speaking mental health helpline for the international community in China. You can access their service via telephone, online chat or WeChat.

Opening times: 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year

International Social Service (ISS) 国际社会服务社

ISS may be able to provide some support. You will need to be referred to ISS by a member of the consular staff. English-speaking case workers are available.

Maple Women’s Psychological Counselling Centre Beijing 北京枫彩心理咨询服务中心, or phone +86 10 6833 3388

The Maple Women’s Psychological Counselling Centre Beijing is a volunteer and non-government organisation. They provide psychological counselling for women and girl victims of sexual abuse and family violence. Chinese-speaking service available.

Inward

Inward provides free and subsidised counselling to survivors of domestic violence, sexual trauma and mental health struggles.

Email: hello@inwardhealth.ai

Global inquiries +61451 954 596

China inquiries Wechat ID: InwardAsia

In addition, the Embassy or Consulates may be able to help identify local service centres or other organisations near your location.

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre 

Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis Centre is a support service for British women and girls aged 13 and over who have been raped, sexually assaulted or sexually abused. They can also assist friends and family members of survivors.

Their service gives access to UK-based real time support from anywhere in the world via telephone, instant messaging or email.

Helpline and live chat are available from Monday - Friday 11am – 2pm and Monday - Thursday 5.30pm – 7.30pm UK time.  

When you return to the UK

If you think there is a risk that you have 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 where the assault took place.

You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) know what has happened to you. You can talk to them about your experience, and they can help you get further support and advice where you live.

England

Help after rape or sexual assault

Rape Crisis England and Wales

NHS Choices

Scotland

NHS Inform Scotland: Help after rape or sexual assault

Wales

New Pathways: Life Beyond Sexual Violence

Ynys Saff SARC

Rape Crisis England and Wales

Northern Ireland

The Rowan (SARC)

Nexus NI

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 the UK government nor any official of British embassies, high commissions or consulates 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 (2 February 2022).