Guidance

Italy: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

Updated 19 November 2025

This information is to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions, following a rape or other form of sexual assault abroad, about whether and how to:

• seek medical advice and attention.
• report to local police.
• engage with foreign legal authorities.

For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK.

Italy: information for victims of rape and sexual assault 

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.

First steps

It is your choice 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 international emergency number on 112
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact the British Embassy in Rome or the British Consulate General Milan  Consular staff will be empathetic, 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.

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

In Italy there are two different law enforcement forces that work at a national level: the ‘Polizia’ and the ‘Carabinieri’. Depending on where you are in Italy, officers of either of these forces could attend to you. In this information, ‘police’ refers to both types of law enforcement officers.

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 and try to see you to provide in person assistance as soon as possible, depending on location and timing, and also attend the police station with you

In case you approach the police directly, you can ask them to inform the nearest British embassy or consulate on +39 06 4220 0001.

Some police stations in Italy are equipped with dedicated interview rooms. You may wish to check if there is one near you here

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. The police may retain your clothes or electronic items including phones and tablets as evidence.

At the police station

• tell the police if you think you have been drugged.

• ask for a police report and request a translation in English if applicable.

If you think you have been drugged, it is important you tell the police as soon as possible. Traces of GHB (commonly known as the “date rape drug”), can be detected with specific blood or urine tests which must be carried out within a few hours of ingestion. After 96 hours, GHB is no longer detectable.

At the police station you can request to speak to a female officer. If there are no police officers who speak English, the police will locate an interpreter for you. It is likely that you will have to wait for one to be made available.

The consulate does not offer interpreting or translation services but in exceptional circumstances may be able to assist you when communicating with the police.

The types of questions that you can be asked include:

• the identity or description of your attacker
• where and when the incident happened
• what happened
• the circumstances
• if there were any witnesses

The police report will be written in Italian. If you do not speak the language, an interpreter will read it back to you, to ensure the details are accurate, before you are asked to sign it. Please note that it is generally not translated into English.

A copy of this police report should be given to you so please insist you receive a copy. On rare occasions, the police may withhold the report for reasons related to the investigation.

You will not be automatically assigned a lawyer, but it would be extremely helpful for you to receive legal assistance.

In Italy, victims of sexual violence can receive free legal support through a scheme called “Gratuito Patrocinio per le Vittime di Reati del Codice Rosso” (Legal Aid for victims of crimes under the Red Code).

Thanks to this support, you can be assisted by a criminal lawyer without having to worry about legal costs, as the fees are fully covered by the State.  It’s important to choose a lawyer whose office is in the same area where the legal proceedings will take place and clarify with your lawyer whether they will charge any travel expenses.

If you would like to speak to a lawyer but don’t know who to contact, you can consult our list of lawyers working in your area:  English-speaking Italian solicitors (avvocati) specialising in rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.

This list has been created solely for your convenience and is not exhaustive. It includes lawyers who speak English who may be able to assist you.

After making a statement

After you have made your statement the police might take you to the scene of the crime, or where you think the attacker is located to try to identify and arrest the person. Your lawyer will accompany you and will also assist you in case you are asked to make an identification. Once you’ve made your report the police are obliged to start an investigation and refer your case to the prosecutor. You will be heard by the public prosecutor within three days of notification of the offence. During this time, you may be requested to remain in Italy.

It might not be possible to withdraw a report once filed. If you change your mind at a later stage and decide to withdraw your police report, you should seek legal advice.

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

You have no obligation to report the crime to the police and you will still be able to get medical attention. The state is obliged to bring charges against the perpetrator only where a child is a victim of rape and sexual assault or when the crime is committed by a cohabiting person (not necessarily a spouse) or in the case of an injury requiring more than 20 days’ hospitalisation or in cases of gang rape.

Reporting the crime is entirely your decision. However, if you choose not to report it, the case may not be investigated.

Regardless of your choice, the British Embassy or Consulate is available to help, should you want it.

Consular staff can help you contact your insurance company or family, if needed, and assist you in making arrangements to return to the UK. They can also provide useful information, including details of local support services in both Italy and the UK, as well as lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers, and interpreters.

You have up to one year to report the crime in Italy, although it is strongly recommended to do so as soon as possible.

The medical examination: what to expect 

Victims of sexual violence will always receive free medical care in Italy.

Almost all Accident and Emergency departments in major Italian hospitals provide specific treatment for victims of sexual assault.

If a member of consular staff is available, they will be able to accompany you to the hospital if you so wish. Some hospital staff may speak English, but the majority will speak only Italian. Consular staff can help you understand what is going on or may ask the hospital staff to request the assistance of an English-speaking member of their staff.

Female victims will be examined by a gynaecologist and male victims by a surgeon.

Doctors will require your consent to report the results of any examination to the police.

They are required to notify the police with or without consent only where a child is a victim of rape and sexual assault, when the crime is committed by a cohabiting person (not necessarily a spouse) or in the case of an injury requiring more than 20 days’ hospitalisation or in cases of gang rape.

You will undergo some routine laboratory tests such as a blood test, pregnancy test, toxicological tests, tests for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases as well as the collection of DNA and biological samples.

With your consent, doctors may take photographic evidence of any injuries when deemed necessary and collect clothing items or any other objects containing relevant biological evidence.

If you have already changed your clothing, please keep any evidence safe in a paper bag as plastic can alter the samples.

Once discharged from the hospital, you will be given a copy of your medical report and hospital file. In accordance with Italian law, the hospital file must contain information relevant for the judicial case that might take place. This will constitute an important part of the police report, should you decide to report the assault to the police.

In many A&E departments in Italy, a psychologist is available to support victims of sexual violence.

We strongly recommend asking for a psychological report. This report can be very important during legal proceedings, as it helps reconstruct the traumatic event in detail and can be a valuable piece of documented evidence. 

Treatment

Hospital/medical staff can provide a prescription for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) which is a treatment that can prevent HIV infection.

HIV PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The treatment needs to continue for 28 days. If you are going back to the UK the NHS may be able to commence or continue the 28-day treatment on your return.

Antibiotics, vaccinations and the morning-after pill (emergency contraception) can also be prescribed.

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

The morning-after pill must be purchased at a local pharmacy and the hospital doctor can provide a prescription. On rare occasions a doctor may be unwilling to prescribe this. In this situation you will be signposted to the local Health Centre (‘consultorio’) where you can obtain a prescription.

There are 24-hour pharmacies in Italy and there should always be an emergency pharmacy open during the night and weekends on a rota system. The address of the nearest emergency pharmacist should be displayed in the windows of the pharmacies in the area where you are.

It is not possible to buy painkillers such as paracetamol in supermarkets in Italy. You have to buy them from the pharmacy, but you do not need a prescription. You may wish to keep the label or make a note of the name of the medication, so that you can tell your doctor the details of your medication when you return home.

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

You can report the incident once you have returned to the UK however, it is recommended to report the crime whilst in Italy to enable the Italian police to act promptly against the perpetrator.

If you do not report the crime in Italy and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police who can offer you access to victim support in the UK.

UK police can also send the information you provide to the Italian police. However, that process can take a long time, and it is for Italian police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction. They may not take action at all, particularly when no evidence can be gathered.

If you file a report in the UK, by the time the report reaches Italy, crucial evidence such as for example CCTV footage which is normally only kept for a few weeks, may have been lost.

Alternatively, if you decide to report the crime in the UK you can visit the Italian Consulate offices. However, while it is technically possible to file a report through Italian consulates, this route involves translation into Italian and is subject to a rather complex, expensive and time-consuming administrative process.

Court procedures in Italy what to expect

Domestic violence, rape and sexual assault crimes have a fast-track system for the prosecution called ‘red code’. Once you’ve made your report the police are obliged to start an investigation and refer your case to the prosecutor. You should then be heard by the public prosecutor within three days of notification of the offence. During this time, you may be requested to remain in Italy. However in some cases the Prosecutor might be satisfied with the report provided by the police.

The entire investigation is overseen by the public prosecutor, who directs the work of the criminal police. The police have some independence only at the very beginning of the investigation, before the prosecutor is informed. Criminal procedure starts when the public prosecutor becomes aware or is notified of a crime. From that point on, the police act under the prosecutor’s instructions.

Once the investigation has ended, the public prosecutor will either decide to dismiss the case or request to the judge that a trial takes place.

You may not be required to attend the preliminary hearing of the trial as this is a decision for the public prosecutor. If a decision is made to further investigate the case, you may have to give an additional statement.

You will receive a notification from your lawyer of the date of the trial. The trial will be held in Italian and the court will appoint a translator. If you are in the UK, you may be asked to attend in person, but you do not need to be present at every court session as your lawyer can represent you.

The preliminary investigation can take between 6 months to 2 years to complete before the case goes to trial. A trial usually lasts an average of 2 years, after which a sentence is passed.

If found guilty, the defendant has an automatic right to appeal (‘appello’). This means a second trial may be held, unless the defendant opts for a plea agreement. The case may then proceed to a third and final stage before the Supreme Court (‘Cassazione’). A ruling by the Supreme Court is definitive. Due to the multiple levels of appeal available, it may take several years before a final sentence is issued.

In most cases, you are not obliged to attend the hearings in person. Your lawyer will be there to represent you. However, in case you are obliged to attend a specific hearing in person, your travel expenses may be refunded with prior authorisation. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on this.

After completing the investigation, the prosecutor decides whether the suspect - referred to as the ‘indagato’ - should face trial, in one of the forms provided by criminal law.

We strongly recommend you appoint a lawyer so to be legally assisted in every step of the process.

Hiring a lawyer

If you appoint a lawyer, it will be easier to liaise with the local authorities.

Thanks to the “Gratuito Patrocinio per le Vittime di Reati del Codice Rosso” (legal aid for the victims of crimes under the Red Code) you can be assisted by a criminal lawyer without having to worry about legal costs, as the fees are fully covered by the State.

If you appoint a lawyer in Italy, they will provide you with a legal address (elezione di domicilio), which is necessary for receiving official notifications—especially if you do not live in Italy.

If you do not appoint a lawyer, communicating with the authorities and accessing information about your case may be difficult.

Having a lawyer in Italy, particularly an English-speaking lawyer, offers several advantages.

They can:

Obtain updates on your case directly from the court and keep you informed in English about the investigation and any court proceedings

Represent you during hearings.

Answer your questions and guide you through the legal process.

Ensure that you benefit from all the legal protections available under Italian law.

If you would like to speak to a lawyer but don’t know who to contact, you can consult our list of lawyers working in your area:  English-speaking Italian solicitors (avvocati) specialising in rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.

This list has been created solely for your convenience and is not exhaustive. It includes lawyers who speak English and may be able to assist you.

Please note that not all lawyers will offer legal aid. Please check with them before confirming their appointment and discuss if any costs might be charges, for example travel costs or any service provided during the investigation phase. 

Sentencing

Sexual assault and rape are considered crimes in Italy and are classified as a crime against the person.

The Italian ‘red code’ legislation covers crimes as rape and sexual assault, stalking or persecutory acts and domestic violence.

A first instance trial usually lasts an average of 2 years, after which a sentence is passed. However, if the defendant files an appeal, final sentence may take considerable time.

Offences are generally punishable with a prison sentence and its duration will depend on the type of offence (sexual abuse, rape). The maximum sentence is 14 years.

If the alleged perpetrator is found not guilty, there will be no criminal responsibility assigned to them.

Compensation

In Italy, there are two ways to seek compensation:

By joining the criminal proceedings as a civil party (parte civile).

By filing a separate civil claim.

Your lawyer will advise you on the most suitable option based on your specific situation.

If found guilty, the judge may order the offender to pay compensation to the victim. If the offender is unable to pay, there is a state-funded compensation scheme to cover physical or psychological injuries suffered because of a sexual or violent crime. This can be a lengthy process, but your lawyer will be able to assist you.

Support organisations in Italy

It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, these organisations may be able to help you.

Differenza donna

• Telephone number +39 06 678 0537.
• Language of service Italian/ English
• Description of services offered:

Anti-violence centres: Provide support and legal assistance to women who have experienced violence.

Safe houses: Offer a secure place for women escaping violent situations.

D.i.Re

• Telephone number + 39 392 720 0580.
• Language of service Italian/ English
• Description of services offered:

Anti-violence centres offering many services, including psychological counselling, legal counselling and support groups

Refuge houses, often with a secret address where women and their underage children can find shelter for a period of emergency.

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis’s Live Online Support, which can be accessed from overseas 

Further resources

• 1522 is the anti-violence toll free number you can dial in Italy where you can be signposted to the nearest anti-violence centre (‘centro anti violenza’). If you prefer, you can use the “App1522”, which you can download with the most common IOS and Android systems. The App will enable you to communicate with the operators via a chat rather than by a call. It also features emergency lighting and a sound signal which can be used to deter a perpetrator. You can also make a quick call to 1522 via the app.
• The YOUPOL app (App YouPol Android or App YouPol IOS) can also be used to report gender- based violence. You can request assistance directly with the Police Headquarters Operations Centres via the app. The YOUPOL app can be activated on smartphones, tablets and computers. If you do not wish to register and provide your data, there is the possibility of making notifications anonymously.
• We can put you in touch with Rape Crisis Glasgow & Clyde for support and advice if there is no local rape support organisation (www. glasgowclyderapecrisis.org.uk/content/ survivors-abroad). Their services can can be accessed from overseas.

When you return to the UK

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 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 so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice where you live.

England

The NHS Choices website or Help after rape or sexual assault or Rape Crisis England and Wales.

Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland.

Wales

New Pathways, Life Beyond Sexual Violence or Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) or Rape Crisis England and Wales.

Northern Ireland

The Rowan (SARC) or 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 the Consulate 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).