Guidance

Poland: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

Updated 25 March 2026

If you have been sexually assaulted it is 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 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:

• call the international emergency number in Poland which is 112. If you call this number you can receive around the clock immediate assistance from any emergency service in Poland
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact the British Embassy in Warsaw. 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 and only with your consent

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

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 the British Embassy or consulate, they will try to send a consular officer to support you, where timing and location allow. You will always be able to speak to trained consular staff on the telephone 24/7.

If you approach the police directly, you can also request notification of the nearest British embassy or consulate on +48 22 311 0000 and they can offer you 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, your clothes or bed linen may make it difficult for the police to obtain such evidence. If you change your clothes, consider taking those you wore during the assault to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as texts, condoms, toothbrushes, or other items that may contain the perpetrator’s DNA traces. Evidence containing DNA should be stored in dry conditions in paper bags or cardboard boxes, not in plastic.

At the police station

You will be asked to show formal identification, such as your passport. The document will be returned to you as soon as the police have established your identity.

You can take a person of trust or a legal adviser to the interview if you wish. A list of English-speaking lawyers is on our website.

You have the right to request to be interviewed by an officer of a particular gender although there is no guarantee one will be available at that time.

Tell the police if you think you have been drugged. You do not run any risks when reporting a rape or sexual assault if you have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

During the interview with the police, you will be asked questions to help them conduct their investigations. This could include making a statement about the incident and giving a description of the perpetrator(s).

You will be asked to give details of any witnesses to the crime or persons you spoke to after the assault. In most cases you will be asked for the clothes you were wearing, your mobile phone (as it could contain material relevant to the investigation) as well as other items which the perpetrator may have touched.

Please note that the police cannot demand to interrogate you at length. You may choose to give a detailed testimony to them, but in principle their role is to only collect information about the basic facts: where and when the incident happened, who was involved, they can take the description of the perpetrator (if the perpetrator is unknown) and witness data, and ask for information relevant to immediate collection of evidence.

The police may take you to a hospital for a medical and forensic examination.

To note, the rape victim is questioned only once before a court and in the presence of an expert psychologist. 

If you report the incident at the police station yourself, you only need to report the main facts and evidence.  This is because you will be interviewed in detail at the court later on.

It is important to read the report carefully before signing it. If the officer’s description of the incident differs, you have the right to request corrections before signing it. You do not have to sign something which isn’t factual or that you do not understand.

Some British nationals have informed us that they found the process of reporting an assault to be difficult at times due to cultural and language differences, Polish police officers can use technical language and may seem to lack empathy when taking statements.

Ask for a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable

Insist you get a document from the police to confirm that you have reported the crime, with a police reference number and the police’s contact details so that you are able to follow up with them later. Request a translation in English, if applicable.

After making a statement

Examination of the victim to take testimony should, by definition, take place only once, so as not to expose the victim to repeated negative experiences and trauma.

The court conducts a session in which the judge and the forensic psychologist participate (you may request appointment of an expert of the same sex). If you do not speak Polish, the court will ensure the presence of an interpreter. Anybody else may watch from behind a one-way mirror or via a video link. You are allowed to be supported by a friend/someone you trust.

A hearing of the victim is never held in the presence of the suspected offender.

If the victim is a minor under the age of 15 at the time of the hearing, timing and duration of the hearing should consider the needs of his/her age, need for the psychological expert to communicate with him/her before the hearing and need for interruption of the process.

A hearing of the victim should take place within 14 days of receipt of request for a hearing (if you agree, a later hearing date may be set). If you plan to leave Poland, please let the authorities know, so that they can arrange for the hearing to take place before your departure date.

In exceptional circumstances, you may be interviewed a second time. You can make such a request yourself or it may be made by the prosecutor or the accused. Assessment of whether such a request is justified is left to the court.

Questioning is recorded by means of audio and video recording equipment. However, a hearing may be conducted by videoconference should it be necessary to take further evidence from the victim. Furthermore, all questioning will be recorded and replayed at the main hearing. In exceptional situations, the court may order additional questioning, which may be conducted by teleconference without confronting the victim with the accused in the courtroom. This teleconference is held from a special room in the court building.

Polish police normally will not inform UK police about the assault, and usually will not undertake police checks of you as the victim. Once evidence has been collected, the case file is sent to the prosecutor assigned to the case to decide on the further course of action (e.g. press charges, discontinue the investigation).

If a suspect has been subject to pre-trial detention and that detention was revoked, not renewed, or changed to another non-custodial preventive measure, you should be notified immediately by the public prosecutor or the court.

The police will retain evidence such as the clothes and underwear you were wearing and other items that the offender has touched. This will help them to gather evidence and build a criminal case.

They may also take electronic equipment such as mobile phones and tablets temporarily, to secure data that might serve as evidence in the investigations and in a court case. They will then return the devices to you once the data is copied. Inform the office if you need a device or if you are leaving the country so that the police copy the relevant data urgently.

If there is evidence you feel is relevant to the case, such as correspondence with the perpetrator or recordings, please make screenshots/copies of it and pass them on to the police or the prosecutor.

You will not have to stay in Poland while the case is being prepared to go to court. You may leave the country at any time. Ask the police for information on your rights as a victim of crime.

If you change your address or are abroad during ongoing criminal proceedings, it is your duty to notify the police, public prosecutor’s office or court and provide a new address for service. If you fail to do so, all correspondence sent to your previous address shall be deemed to have been served.

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

The British embassy or consulate will be able to help you. This includes:

• helping you to contact your insurance company and/or your family
• accompanying you to the local hospital/medical facility, where possible
• providing you with lists of medical facilities, 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 is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated.

If you do decide not to report the crime to the police, you will still be able to get medical attention, but, depending on the nature of the crime, a doctor may be obliged by law to report the case to the police. While you are not obliged to report the crime in Poland for it to be investigated, you should be aware that important evidence or witnesses may be lost.

The medical examination: what to expect

Where to go

All hospitals’ emergency rooms (a so-called SOR; Szpitalny Oddział Ratunkowy) provide help and medical treatment to victims of rape and sexual assault.

Doctors may be obliged by law to automatically report the results of an examination to the police, depending on the nature of the case (see below).

Medical examination is an important part of a police investigation. The police will arrange for you to be taken to a hospital for a medical check.

Examination

The examining doctor will issue a document confirming intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral), take DNA samples and carry out any other necessary tests. This document can be used as evidence in criminal investigations and can be issued by any medical facility.

If you go to a private doctor and pay for an examination, you can submit a request for reimbursement of examination costs during court proceedings (see below). Keep your receipt or details of the bank transfer with the transaction description. Examinations by a medical facility referred to by the police are free of charge.

As a rule, hospitals should not report examination results to the police without victim’s consent. However, there are several exceptions:

• if the doctor acts at the request of the police (the police referred you to a doctor), the doctor is exempt from medical confidentiality and will provide all the examination results necessary to the investigation
• if the doctor finds that the perpetrator of the sexual violence was a family member, partner or other person in a common household, suspicions will be reported to the police or public prosecuto
• if the victim of a sexual assault is a minor, they will report this to the family court, prosecutor’s office or the police
• if it was a gang rape, rape where a weapon was used or exceptional cruelty was involved
• if the victim was pregnant
• if a recording of the rape was made

It is common in Poland that a doctor will report the case to the police even if any of the above-mentioned conditions does not occur.

The examination of a person under age 18 requires consent of the legal guardian and examination of a person over 16 also requires consent of that person.

If a public prosecutor issues an order for such an examination, consent of the legal guardian is not required. This is particularly the case if the perpetrator is the child’s legal guardian.

A female victim should be given full information about the risks of pregnancy by the doctor conducting the initial examination and is given information about available birth control for use after intercourse and the ability to obtain it.

Treatment

HIV PEP medication (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection after unprotected sexual intercourse) 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.

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

If there is a chance of pregnancy following a sexual assault, a doctor will also be able to prescribe a “morning after pill” within 72 hours after the incident.

If you need a prescription for emergency contraception, it can also be issued to you by a pharmacist. All you need to do is visit a pharmacy and ask for “commercial pharmaceutical prescription”. See the list of pharmacies which issue prescriptions

If you approach a pharmacy and ask for emergency contraception:

• you will be admitted in a separate room
• you will be interviewed by a pharmacist who will carry out an interview and determine whether it is reasonable and safe to dispense the medicine, discuss how to take it and answer any questions or concerns you may have
• if, following the interview, the pharmacist considers it reasonable and safe to dispense the medicine, you will be issued with a prescription by the pharmacist and will be able to take the medicine

The pharmacist may want to inform the police about your circumstances.

If you are not planning to stay in Poland, it is still advised to carry out all necessary tests. You are also advised to provide the email address to which your test results may be sent and contact your GP right away after you return to the UK.

If you decide to stay in Poland longer, a GP in Poland should provide you with any further treatments.

If you have had medication administered overseas, 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.

Remember that if you see a doctor and the doctor refuses to write a prescription for emergency birth control claiming a “conscience clause”, medical staff are obliged to refer you to any other doctor to provide you a prescription.

Termination of pregnancy

Currently, abortion is possible in Poland only in two cases: if pregnancy poses a threat to the life or health of the woman or if pregnancy is the result of an offense (rape, incest).

Whether a pregnancy is the result of an offense and can be terminated is determined by the public prosecutor. In the case of women who are minors, parents, legal guardians or a family court must consent to pregnancy termination in each case. If a minor is over 13, her written consent is also required.

If it turns out that you are pregnant after an assault and wish to end the pregnancy, it is therefore necessary to obtain a certificate from the public prosecutor stating that there is a reasonable suspicion that the pregnancy resulted from a criminal offence. Under current regulations, the public prosecutor in Poland does not have a specific deadline for issuing a certificate authorising termination of pregnancy resulting from rape. On the other hand, pregnancy can only be terminated within the first 12 weeks.

Persons covered by social insurance have the right to terminate a pregnancy free of charge in a public healthcare facility.

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 many countries, 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 Poland and the crime took place there, you should report the crime there. If you are a British national and you need help to report the crime, you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London.

If you do not report the crime in Poland 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 Poland. However, foreign police forces 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 Poland. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

Indictment, further investigation, or discontinuation of the investigation

After reviewing all evidence, the public prosecutor decides on the case and interrogates and charges the person suspected of the act if identity has been established.

If the public prosecutor is satisfied that there is reasonable suspicion that a person committed a crime and evidence gathered in the case is complete, an indictment is drawn up against the offender with a call to try the offender or to sentence him/her without trial.

You will be informed by the prosecution that an indictment has been brought to court and instructed on how to apply to continue acting as an auxiliary prosecutor (as a victim you can act alongside the public prosecutor with rights of a party to proceedings).

As an auxiliary prosecutor, you can actively participate in court proceedings alongside the public prosecutor. An auxiliary prosecutor has all procedural rights provided by law for a party such as filing new motions for evidence, right to examine witnesses, claim for damages, or right to appeal the court’s judgment if not satisfactory to the victim.

If the public prosecutor considers evidence gathered in the case to be incomplete and must be supplemented, the case file will be returned to the police to look for new evidence and carry out other necessary actions.

If the public prosecutor determines that evidence collected in the case is insufficient to draw up an indictment, a decision to discontinue proceedings will be issued. Such decision may be appealed. A complaint must be lodged within 7 days from the date of delivery of a copy of the decision discontinuing proceedings (the victim as a party to proceedings will always receive such a decision and does not have to request it).

The court may uphold the appealed decision or revoke it and refer the case to the prosecutor for further clarification of circumstances of the case.

If the prosecutor again issues a decision to discontinue an investigation, this decision is subject to appeal to the superior prosecutor.

If a decision appealed for the second time is upheld by the superior prosecutor, the victim has one month to file a so-called “subsidiary indictment” in court. A subsidiary indictment must be drafted, signed and brought by an attorney or an attorney-at-law.

Rape and Sexual Assault cases are complex and you may find it difficult to navigate in the local system. You can consider applying for a legal aid lawyer or appoint a private lawyer to represent you during investigation or court proceedings. A private lawyer can also obtain updates for you and provide you more detailed information about the case.

You can check the List of Lawyers in Poland.

Court procedures in Poland: what to expect

As a victim you have the right to take part in a trial, but you will have limited rights. If you are an auxiliary prosecutor you are involved in proceedings and have the right to ask questions, submit evidence and appeal the verdict.

A victim or auxiliary prosecutor may participate in court proceedings on their own or be represented by an attorney (adwokat) or an attorney-at-law (radca prawny). If you are unable to cover fees of a lawyer of your choice or the costs of proceedings, you can apply for a legal aid lawyer and/or exemption from court costs. These applications can also be submitted in writing or orally to the court.

If the indictment isn’t missing anything, the court sets a hearing date and notifies all parties to proceedings. Proceedings are regulated by criminal procedure rules. A trial begins with a calling of the case and verification of the presence of the parties and summoned persons. The indictment is then read out and evidentiary proceedings begin during which evidence is presented.

Before the indictment is read out at the first hearing, you have a final chance to apply (even orally for the record) to be allowed to participate in the case as an auxiliary prosecutor.

At the hearing, the accused has the right to defence in the manner considered best. He or she may therefore deny facts, question witnesses or make submissions for evidence. In his/her defence, the accused may lie and this will not be considered an offence.

Evidence is then taken in the case, including an examination of summoned witnesses and parties to proceedings. Witnesses and the victim must testify truthfully under penalty of perjury. The victim may also give evidence again. As a general rule, the accused has the right to be present at all acts of evidence, but the victim may ask the court to order the accused to leave the room while being heard if feeling uncomfortable in the presence of the accused.

If you are in the UK on the trial date, you can participate in the hearing online. You should be present online with your camera and microphone on.

After all evidence has been taken, the court determines whether the parties have any further requests for evidence. This is the last moment to submit not only evidentiary submissions, but also to request damages. When the parties state that they do not make any further motions, the court closes the hearing and requests final statements. The last statement is given by the accused.

If you wish to have consular staff accompany you to court, we can assist. However, we can only be present when you confirm your statements, if allowed by the judge. If you requested a legal aid lawyer or have a private lawyer with you, this person would be allowed to accompany you at all times. You are not obligated to hire a lawyer. However, the most reliable way of ensuring that your rights are fully protected is to appoint a lawyer. A list of English-speaking lawyers is available on our website.

Additional legal information

Appeal proceedings

A judgment issued by the first instance court may be appealed by any party to proceedings in the belief that it was issued in breach of law. The first necessary stage is filing of a motion for preparation and delivery of a written justification for the judgment within 7 days from the date of its announcement. When you receive the judgment with a written justification, you can file an appeal within 14 days from the date following receipt.

An appellate court may uphold a judgment, modify it or set it aside in its entirety for a retrial. You should be aware that setting aside a judgment generally means a retrial before the first instance court.

Damages

Although the main objective of criminal proceedings is to bring the perpetrator of the crime to justice as soon as possible, it is possible to already claim damages during the criminal trial, without the need to initiate new proceedings before a civil court. A suitable motion may be filed by the auxiliary prosecutor by the end of the judicial proceedings at the main trial (zamknięcie przewodu sądowego).

Failure to submit such an application does not close the victim’s path to compensation and/or reparation, as a suit for damages may also be brought before a civil court.

Support organisations in Poland

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

If you are a permanent resident in Poland you can also apply for social assistance including psychological or legal support. Please visit the government website to find out if you are eligible.

If you need psychological help, you can either immediately go to psychiatric clinic or contact non-governmental organisations for support:

• Women’s Rights Centre: non-governmental organisation helping women, whose rights were breached, especially victims of any kind of violence. Depending on the location in Poland, support includes psychological help, assistance during investigation and court proceedings, shelter, 24-hour helpline, social help, support groups and career advice. ul. Wilcza 60 lok. 19 00-679 Warszawa Telephone: +48 22 622 25 17 Mobile telephone number: +48 509 790 232 e-mail: sekretariat@cpk.org.pl
• Feminoteka: non-government organisation helping women who have become victims of sexual assault. Please contact them via telephone number: +48 888 88 79 88 - on weekdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. or e-mail pomoc@feminoteka.pl. Polish speakers can also call the number +48 888 88 33 88 on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or at weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Crisis Intervention Centres: provide comprehensive psychological assistance to people and families in crisis situations with specialist assistance at the Centre’s headquarters and place of stay, conduct telephone interventions, and depending on needs – social or legal counselling.
• Under this link, you can find the list of organisations supporting the victims of violence, by voivodship.

Support organisations in 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.

There are many rape crisis centres throughout the UK that can help provide support and advice if you have suffered from a sexual assault abroad. They provide differing services and referral routes. You can find the contact details of your nearest centre on the websites of the umbrella organisations listed below. Alternatively, you can call their national helplines. They also provide support and information to family and friends of sexual violence survivors.

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre

Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis Centre is a support service for women and girls aged 13 and over who have been raped, sexually assaulted or sexually abused at some point in their lifetime. Live Online Support gives British survivors of sexual violence access to UK-based support from anywhere in the world, on Skype, FaceTime, Instant Messenger and email. More information including the times Live Online support is on their website.

Rape Crisis England and Wales

• freephone 0808 500 2222 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• email: info@rapecrisis.org.uk

NHS Inform Scotland

NHS Inform Scotland: Help after rape or sexual assault

Nexus Northern Ireland

• Belfast office tel: 028 9032 6803
• tel: 24-hour (operated by Women’s Aid) 0808 802 1414
• email: info@nexusni.org
• www.nexusni.org

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 7 days a week and can be accessed on their website.

• Whatsapp: 07491 816064
• tel: 0203 5983898
• email: info@survivorsuk.org
• www.survivorsuk.org

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way, about whatever’s getting to you. They listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries and troubles, helping you think more clearly about your options.

• tel: 116 123
• email: jo@samaritans.org
• www.samaritans.org

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 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 publishing.