Rape and sexual assault in Algeria: information for victims
Published 21 May 2021
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This information is provided to help British nationals overseas make decisions about whether and how to seek medical advice and attention; report to local police; and engage with foreign legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault overseas.
For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK.
1. Medical treatment
We strongly suggest you see a doctor. Victims of rape and sexual assault are usually seen by gynaecologists. They can determine if you have been injured in any way and give you advice about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
If you want to report the case to the police, contact the police so that they can accompany you to the nearest medical facility, or ask the doctors to call the police while you are there. This is important for your case afterwards. (check section 3 below).
If you do not want to report it to the police, tell the doctors upon arrival at the hospital. They will respect your wish since staff are not obliged to inform the police. However, they are obliged to inform the administration of the hospital.
Minors victims (under 19) must be accompanied by a supervisor. If the victim is not accompanied, the case will be immediately reported to the General Prosecutor. The prosecutor will build a case on their behalf to prosecute any assailant. Unlike adults, minors are seen by paediatricians.
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.
Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.
Emergency contraceptive pills can be difficult to find in Algeria. You need to consult a gynaecologist on where to get these in nearby pharmacies.
Foreigners are provided services in all government hospitals. They will be requested to pay for the service which is often nominal. In private hospitals, payment can only be made in cash so make sure to have cash with you.
If you have had medication administered overseas, you may wish to 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.
2. 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:
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contact the emergency police number in Algeria on 1548 or 021745800
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contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
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contact the British Embassy in Algeria
Embassy staff will be polite, patient, sensitive 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.
3. If you want to report the incident to the police in Algeria
You can approach the police directly either by dialling the emergency phone number 1548/021745800 or in person at the nearest police station. It is important to inform them as soon as possible. It is important that they either go to the hospital with you, or they get informed while you are at the hospital. Otherwise, the report from the hospital will not be of much help afterwards.
If you have a tour operator, they should be able to arrange for someone to support you whilst you are reporting the incident to the police. If you do not have a tour operator, you can ask the police to inform the British Embassy in Algiers and with your consent, we will try to liaise with the local police via telephone.
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.
Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.
Although, police reports are not usually handed to the victim directly, the police should give you a reference number to follow up on the case at court. Reports in Algeria are normally made in Arabic.
You can ask the police if you wish to speak to a female officer. Although this may not always be possible, it is worth asking for this option.
If the officers do not speak English, they will try to have an interpreter available, but you may have to wait for one to arrive. You may want to consult our List of translators and interpreters.
You do not have to surrender your passport, however, the police may want to take copies.
4. If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Algeria
It is your choice whether to report the crime, but if you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated if there is a lack of forensic evidence.
The British Embassy will be able to help you. This includes helping you make arrangements to contact your insurance company, your family, travel back to the UK (although we are not able to pay for flights) and/or provide you with information on local support in the UK. We can provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers and translators.
If you wish to speak to a female, we can have one of our consular officers available to speak to you.
If you are travelling with one, you can report the incident to your tour operator and ask them for assistance. Where possible and if you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the local hospital.
5. Court procedures
The Court will not automatically update the British Embassy on the case’s progress. The British Embassy can make enquiries and seek updates from the court on your behalf, but the court is under no obligation to provide the embassy with information.
A lawyer will be best placed to obtain updates. You would need to give your consent for your lawyer to communicate/update the British Embassy.
The trial will take place in Arabic. If you wish to attend the court hearing, it is up to the local authorities to provide an interpreter. If you wish not to attend, the prosecutor will go ahead with the case any way, given the evidence available.
There is no fixed timescale for the court process. The length of time court proceedings can take depends on a wide range of factors including case complexity or if the assailant pleads guilty or not guilty.
If you are required to return to Algeria, no assistance for travel and accommodation will be given by the Algerian authorities.
Currently there are no Algeria or UK government compensation schemes applicable to survivors of rape and sexual assault. However the courts are empowered to order the offender to pay compensation for any injuries or losses.
6. When you return home to the UK
You may want to let your GP or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice.
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, even if you have been tested in the country in which the assault took place.
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) offer medical, practical and emotional support. They have specially trained doctors, nurses and support works to care for you. Find your nearest SARC online.
For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK.
7. If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK
It is possible to report the crime to police in the UK. However, it is for foreign police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction. UK police forces cannot investigate crimes committed overseas. Foreign police forces can decide to request assistance from the UK police, but this cannot be guaranteed and is a very lengthy process. It can therefore be very difficult to guarantee that any justice can be accessed without reporting the crime locally.
If you file a report in the UK, Moroccan police inform us that it is far more difficult for them to investigate and take action. They are less likely to have any forensic evidence or to be able to carry out a detailed investigation as evidence such as CCTV is normally only kept for a few weeks. We are also aware that the transfer of a crime report from the UK to Morocco can take a considerable length of time, which again can affect the Moroccan police and the Moroccan court’s ability to take action. If you file a report in the UK, by the time the report reaches Morocco, the evidence may have been lost.
Please see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK for more information.
8. Support organisations in Algeria
8.1 Wassila network
Wassila network is a coalition of several Algerian associations whose objective is to participate in better care and guidance for women and children victims of all kinds of violence including rape and sexual assault.
Phone: 0560 100 105 / 023 35 14 44 / 021 33 29 29
Email: ecoute.reseauwassila@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReseauWassila/
8.2 SOS Femmes en Détresse
SOS Femmes en Détresse is an NGO that fights for women’s rights. They offer listening services, legal consultations and accommodation.
Phone. : 021.92.99.22
Email: sosfemmes@hotmail.com
9. Support organisations and useful contacts in the UK
9.1 Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC)
Helpline & free phone: +44(0)8088 00 00 14
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 is an online service that gives British survivors of sexual violence access to UK-based real time support from anywhere in the world, via Skype, FaceTime, Instant Messenger and email.
Skype
Skype offers free calls worldwide between Skype accounts. Survivors can call us on the Skype app by searching for Glasgow Clyde Rape Crisis during the above helpline opening times. Support via Skype can be by message, voice only call or video call. The survivor can decide which method of communication they feel most comfortable with. For a video call they can sign into their Skype account, search our Skype name then click the video icon and it will put them through to us. Skype requires an internet connection it’s worthwhile checking with the internet provider when using a mobile phone as roaming charges may apply when travelling abroad.
Facetime
Facetime works between Apple devices. It is free to use but requires internet access so users may pay for data usage depending on how they are connected and may incur roaming charges. If someone wants to contact us they can open the Facetime app on their apple device and enter our email address. They can then click on the video icon to video call.
Instant messenger
You can make initial contact with us through the Instant Messaging facility which is on our website.
You can email us at support@rapecrisiscentre-glasgow.co.uk to make your first contact and start an email conversation.
All the above services can be accessed at the following times:
Every day: 11am to 2pm UK time
Monday to Thursday also: 5.30pm to 7.30pm UK time
A support session generally lasts one hour. If, at any time you feel that you would like to stop the session that’s OK.
Skype can be downloaded at this website. Where possible, British consulates will make their facilities available to you to make contact. Try to contact them in a comfortable, safe, confidential space. You can use Skype for a voice call, video call or instant message support.
You can also contact them on Facebook and Twitter.
9.2 Rape Crisis England and Wales and Rape Crisis Scotland
Local rape crisis centres provide crisis and long-term specialised counselling, support and independent advocacy for all women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence; centres are community-based, and independent of government and the criminal justice system.
Rape Crisis England & Wales and Rape Crisis Scotland are the national umbrella organisations for rape crisis centres in Great Britain.
Free phone: +44(0)808 802 9999 (daily midday to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm)
Free phone: +44(0)141331 4180 (daily 6pm to midnight)
9.3 Nexus Northern Ireland
Nexus NI offer counselling and support to survivors of sexual abuse, victims of sexual violence, including those who have experienced rape and sexual assault. Counselling is available for anyone aged 16+ in 25 centres across Northern Ireland.
Belfast +44(0)28 9032 6803
Londonderry +44(0)28 7126 0566
Enniskillen +44(0)28 6632 0046
9.4 The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust is a UK-wide national umbrella agency for 130 specialist organisations for support for the impact of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse throughout the UK and Ireland. Tel: +44(0)808 801 0818.
9.5 Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid are available 24/7 on +44(0)808 2000 247.
9.6 Victim support
Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. Their purpose is to provide specialist help to support people to cope and recover to the point where they fell they are back on track with their lives. Call them on +44(0)808 168 911.
9.7 Lifecentre
Lifecentre is a telephone counselling service for under-18s survivors of sexual abuse and those supporting survivors. Contact them on +44(0)1243 786349.
9.8 Mankind
Mankind provides one-to-one counselling, therapeutic groups and couple counselling to male victims of sexual assault (age 18+). Contact them on +44(0)1823 334244.
9.9 Survivors UK
Survivors UK have a national webchat service for men and their families, partners and friends. They open seven days a week and can be accessed through their website. Alternatively, you can WhatsApp them on +44(0)74 91816064 or contact their office on +44(0)203 5983898.
10. Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the British Embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Accordingly, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.