Guidance

Tajikistan: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

Updated 30 July 2025

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.

This information is provided to help British nationals overseas make informed decisions about whether and how to:

• seek medical advice and attention
• report to local police
• 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.

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 emergency number on 103 (public ambulance) or 102 (police).  1313 is a helpline aimed at underage victims of sexual violence, be used by adults and has trained psychologists available who can offer support in Russian or Tajik. They will then report about the incident to the local police
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact the British Embassy in Dushanbe. Our telephone number is +446109922. 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

Read further information on the British Embassy page

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

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

If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the nearest British embassy or consulate on +446109922 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 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.

You can report the crime by calling 102 and you can request the police to come and take measures against the offender if required. Anonymous reports over the phone will be registered too but cannot be used to initiate a criminal investigation.

Tell the police if you think you have been drugged.

Insist you get a police report, and request a translation in English if applicable

You do not have to report the rape and sexual assault to the police, but if you want the incident to be investigated you must report it to the nearest police station. The duty police officer must accept reports of crime 24/7 regardless of where the crime took place and when.

Reporting crimes to the police in Tajikistan can be a complex and time-consuming process, you should be prepared to spend several hours in the police station. You may find the process of reporting the assault difficult at times and quite different from what you would expect of UK police procedures.

You can be criticised if drugs or alcohol were involved. The consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor’s prescription is criminally punishable. Homosexuality is a criminal offence and is punishable by up to 3 years in prison.

Female officers with specialised training in supporting victims of sexual assault may be present at the police station, however this may not always be possible. It is very rare that local police officers speak English. An interpreter can be provided by the local police, but this may take long time to arrange and there is no guarantee of quality of translation.

In order to save time, you may consider having your own interpreter with you when you visit the police station.Find a local translator or interpreter.

Once an initial verbal report is made to the police, you will be required to give a full statement:

• not all police stations will have private rooms for taking statement
• interviews will normally take place in the office of the duty investigators - there are likely to be several people working in one office
• you will need to sign your statement - make sure you understand what you are signing. You may want to consider having a lawyer or someone else accompany you
• insist the police give you a copy of the report and request a translation in English
• get a copy of your written statement describing the incident signed by the police officer when you submit the original. Keep this copy with you

The police officer will register the crime report and should issue you a paper slip with a reference number of the case. Ask the police officer to write down the phone number of the department that will be dealing with your case so you can contact them later for updates.

The case will be cascaded to other departments; therefore, you may have to make a statement several times and sometimes visit the incident site together with the police officers.

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

The police will send you to the local hospital or forensic examination centre if you haven’t sought medical assistance in the first instance.

You will be required to undergo a series of tests, including external and internal examinations, swabs and STI tests. The results of the examination will be reflected in a separate protocol and photographic evidence of face and body injuries will be taken.

You will be asked to show formal identification, such as your passport. You do not have to surrender your passport whilst the investigation is carried out. The police will take a copy of your passport and full contact details.

Consular staff can accompany you to the police station if you want them to and where possible. We cannot provide interpretation and might not be allowed to stay with you during a police interview. We can also give you a list of lawyers.

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

The British embassy or consulate will be able to 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. If you wish, and depending on location and timing, a member of consular staff may be able to accompany you.

It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated and important evidence or witnesses may be lost.

If you do decide not to report the crime to the police, you will still be able to get medical attention.

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 the country 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 nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London.

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

Reporting the crime in Tajikistan – what happens next

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

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).

Evidence such as the clothes and underwear you were wearing and other items that the offender has touched will be retained. It will help the police to gather evidence and build a criminal case. Electronic equipment such as mobile phones and tablets will also be taken temporarily to secure data that might serve as evidence in the investigations and in a court case. Devices will then be returned to you.

The police will take you to a hospital for a medical and forensic examination, with your consent.

The Tajik police will not normally inform the UK police about the assault, and they will not usually undertake police checks on you as the victim.

The medical examination – what to expect

Hospitals in Tajikistan usually specialise in specific areas of health. They generally refer patients to facilities with the appropriate specialists. There are medical clinics, commonly used by foreigners, that offer medical support to victims of rape and sexual assault. Support includes examination of external injuries, and internal examination with swabs and STD testing. Photos of severe external injuries will be taken for investigative purposes if the case is reported to the local police.

Most medical practices will automatically report rape or sexual assault cases to the police.

If you prefer to be examined by a female, the hospital will try to arrange this, but it cannot be guaranteed.

Ask to be advised about what treatment is recommended in your particular case to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy, if applicable. The British Embassy Dushanbe can talk to local healthcare providers on your behalf to check a clinic’s policy in this matter before you attend the clinic.

If you are in Dushanbe and would like one of our consular team can accompany you to the hospital or medical centre. In the interests of patient confidentiality, we will wait in reception during your medical examination. If you are travelling with a local tour operator, they may also be able to accompany you, but this is not guaranteed.

Treatment

Hospital medical staff can give you advice on HIV PEP medication (‘Post-exposure prophylaxis’, a treatment that can prevent HIV infection) should you or they feel it is necessary. The doctors will provide PEP prescription and a medical referral to the Republican HIV Centre for a further check. The HIV Centre provides PEP free of charge, but the patient will have to meet the cost for the testing.

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 can be obtained from a pharmacy, though you may require a prescription and it is not free. Abortion is available in Tajikistan for a gestational period up to 12 weeks for non-medical reasons. This period can be extended if there are medical complications.

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

Emergency medical assistance is free of charge in Tajikistan, any subsequent treatment will be charged in accordance with hospitals price list. Most hospitals accept payment by card, though some local hospitals may accept only cash payments in local currency.

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.

Police investigations in Tajikistan – what to expect

The police will take you to the scene of the crime to get more details of the incident. You may be interviewed by the police at the same time as any suspects so there is a risk you will meet in corridors or waiting areas of the building.

You will be asked to identify a suspect at the police station. Many police stations do not have one-way mirrors installed so it is likely that you will be asked to make an identification face to face. You will also be required to attend a face-to-face questioning with the suspect. It is therefore recommended to have a legal representative with you.

Criminal investigations in Tajikistan tend to progress very slowly. If someone is arrested under suspicion of criminal offence, they may be detained without charges for up to 48 hours. Detention may be extended by an additional 48 hours by the court. After that the suspect will be released unless, and depending on the circumstances, the court sanctions arrest of the suspect for the duration of investigation. In some cases, mainly when the abuser is the victim’s partner or spouse, the police can issue a restraining order up to 30 days.

You are entitled to get updates on your case. However, having legal representation from the early stages of a investigation helps ensure that your rights will be respected during initial interviews with police and further investigation stages.

The lawyer can speak before the prosecutor on behalf of the victim, but personal presence may still be required. The lawyer will be able to request access to the case materials such as case notes, expertise results etc. The British embassy can provide you the list of local English-speaking lawyers. Some lawyers can offer pro-bono services, or you can request a state appointed lawyer. Your presence in country may be required throughout the investigation.

If you leave the country this may trigger the closure of the case.

Court procedures – what to expect

You will generally be expected to testify in person in courts in Tajikistan, including in cases of rape and sexual assault. You will be asked for graphic details of the incident, which you may find uncomfortable. In addition, In some cases, a physical examination may be required to establish whether sexual intercourse took place. In Tajik law the absence of consent is considered as rape, however in practice the absence of torn clothes or physical injury may be seen as consent. All cases will be investigated.

According to Tajik law, all those involved in the case have the right to receive details of the case. In practice, access to any related documents may be difficult without a lawyer.

The most reliable way of ensuring that you receive updates is to appoint a lawyer. You can always consult with a lawyer to clarify the details of case. Find a list of English-speaking lawyers.

If the case is referred for further investigation, you might have to give an additional statement.

If you wish, it is possible to drop charges once they are filed by providing a written statement and explaining the reasons behind your decision. The charge of rape is not an automatic state prosecution in Tajikistan and when the victim drops charges the criminal case is often terminated by the authorities.

It is illegal to make false statements or accusations. Therefore, the suspect may press counter charges against you claiming that you have made false accusations, including during the investigation stage. The court will investigate these claims and decide on how to proceed.

Courts can order perpetrators to pay compensation to victims of rape and sexual violence including for moral damage.

Additional Legal information

How you case gets to trial

Once you have made a police report and have given evidence, it will be for the police and public prosecutor to investigate the crime, to build a case and take it to court. It will be for the court to decide whether the trial will go ahead, or if further investigations are necessary for this to happen.

Trial procedures

After the investigation is completed, the participants are notified that the case will go to court (or that the case is dismissed). The court appoints the date of consideration within 7 to 10 days - this should be no later than ten days from the date of the judge’s ruling on taking the case to trial. Make a written request as soon as possible if you want to be informed if and when there is going to be atrial. You could do this when making your police report. If you don’t you may only be informed that there is atrial when you are summoned as a witness.

The language in the court will be Tajik, however, if you need to testify, an interpreter will be provided for you.

If your testimony is required in court, you will receive a court summons to attend the trial proceedings. If you do not attend, the court will proceed in your absence if they have enough evidence and are confident, they can protect your rights and legitimate interests. Whether or not you are able to testify from the UK via video link will depend on the court.

If you have to attend the trial abroad, then the arrangements for travel and accommodation must be made by yourself. If you do not have the funds for travel and/or accommodation, you should contact the court.

The investigations of rape and sexual assault cases often take longer than it is expected due to the various complications and can take several months before reaching the trial stage. The investigator with clearance from the public prosecutor may request to:

• extend the period of the investigation, for example, when further expertise is required
• file the case, if there are insufficient grounds or evidence to prosecute
• order a trial

After the sentence has been passed, the defendant has the right to at least one appeal within twenty days from the date of pronouncement of the verdict, and for convicted, acquitted, victims - within the same period from the day they were handed a copy of the verdict. In case of disagreement with the decision of the appellate instance, the interested persons have the right to file a cassation complaint within a year after the entry into force of the earlier judgment.

Hiring a lawyer

A lawyer can represent you and ensure your rights in a rape or sexual assault case. Lawyers who specialise in representing rape and sexual assault victims are mainly found in larger cities. A list of English-speaking lawyers available on our website. There, a list of translators and interpreters can also be found.

Communication

During the police investigations, you will primarily communicate with the police. Later, during the trial, you will also be communicating with other parties to the proceedings. At all stages of the case, you will be able to communicate with your lawyer, if you have appointed one.

If you do not reside in Tajikistan and have appointed a lawyer, the lawyer’s address will be sufficient to receive correspondence. Otherwise, the authorities will need your home address in the UK.

You can ask the police, public prosecutor’s office and the court to be updated on case developments. It may also be helpful to appoint a lawyer to aid this communication.

Legal aid

The victim is entitled to legal assistance. Some lawyers can offer pro-bono services, or you can request a state appointed lawyer. In many cases of rape and sexual assault your lawyer’s fee will be covered by the state. It’s important to ask the lawyer during the initial consultations to clarify this. When choosing your lawyer, you should make sure that they are specialized in criminal law.

Sentencing

Judges decide whether sentences are weighted in favour of punishment or rehabilitation.

Depending on the case, the sentence for a convicted perpetrator can be a fine or imprisonment.

If the perpetrator is found not guilty, he will be acquitted.

Compensation

Courts can order perpetrators to pay compensation to victims of rape and sexual violence including for moral damage.

There is no state-funded compensation scheme to cover physical or psychological injuries suffered as a result of a violent crime.

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.

Country	Organisation
England	NHS Choices website, or search the internet for ‘NHS SARC’
Scotland	Rape Crisis Scotland freephone: 08088 01 03 02 (6pm to midnight)
Wales	New Pathways SARC phone 01685 379 310Ynys Saff Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
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.

Support organisations in Tajikistan

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

Some of these organisations can offer psychological or legal support, some will be able to represent and act as your defender in a court, or provide shelter.

There are crisis centres for women and children in each big city in Tajikistan, below are the contact details of some of the centres. The centres have limited capacity to shelter victims of sexual and domestic abuse for up to 6 months.

Crisis centres cannot accommodate male victims but would still be able to provide psychological support and legal advice. 

Assistance may not be available in English, so you will need help of Russian or Tajik speaker or a translator.

Crisis centres in Dushanbe

Women’s Self-Awareness Centre
27a M. Tursunzoda Street, fourth floor,
Tel: 93 517 77 56,

markazi.bonuvon.dushanbe@gmail.com

League of Women Lawyers.
32/2 Ayni Street. 7,
Tel: 221 24 49, 

lwl_toj@rambler.ru

Centre for Social and Legal Support of Women and Teenagers of Tajikistan Femida
137 Rudaki Avenue
Tel: 93 501 6292

femida-tj@mail.ru

Korvoni Umed
11 N. Hisrav Street
Tel: 900 00 12 22

Crisis centres throughout Tajikistan

Khujand: Zanon baroi adolat
1 Kirmonsho Street
Tel: 93 836 45 45

farosat_kiba@bk.ru

ASTI
24 Shuro Street.
Tel: 92 777 90 15

asti.tajikistan@gmail.com

Vanch: Sarparast
March 8, building 9,
Tel: 93 581 96 46

Isfara: Umed
22 Markazi Street
Tel: 927 70 04 06

umed_i@mail.ru

Istaravshan: Zankho ziddi zurovari
186 I. Somoni Street
Tel: 988 65 31 65

nasrulloevb@yahoo.com

Ayni: Kuhsor. 55 Rudaki Street
Tel: 92 762 40 40

gulchehra.04@mail.ru

Penjikent: Zanoni Shark
85 Rudaki Street
Tel: 92 809 29 28

nfotima@mail.ru

Balkh: Oksana
24 Khaidarova Street
Tel: 918 69 85 30

musmanova@mail.ru

Dusti: Darmonbakhsh
35 Rudaki Street
Tel: 93 726 75 57

darmonbahhs@mail.ru

Khuroson: Marifat
1 Somoni Street
Tel: 93 440 20 64

marifatkhatlon@mail.com

Lakhsh: Rohnamo.
55 Somoniyon Street
Tel: 93 889 57 12,

 rohnamo@mail.ru

Shelters located throughout Tajikistan:

Korvoni Umed
Dushanbe city, 
11 N. Hisrav St
Tel: 900 00 12 22

Gulrukhsor
Khujand city
111 R. Nabiev Street
Tel: 98 750 40 74

info@gulruhsor.tj

Gamgori
Bokhtar city
137 Vahdat Street
Tel: (8) 322 227 879

w.c.ghamkhori@mail.ru

Dilafruz
Bokhtar city
68 Druzhba Narodiv Street
Tel: 91 865 92 93

ngodilafruz@mail.ru

Maryam
Kulyab city
7, Nematov Street
Tel: 93 500 01 67

Bonuvoni Fardo
Shartuz city
286 I. Somoni Street
Tel: (8) 324 022 888

anora.69@mail.ru

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 production (02/02/2022).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.