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Guidance

Defence support: sexual offences

Guidance for Defence personnel on how to report sexual offences and get support at home and overseas.

From:
Ministry of Defence
Published:
9 September 2026

This guidance is for Armed Forces personnel, civil servants, contractors, and their families and friends.

It explains how to:

  • report a sexual offence
  • get medical help
  • get support

You don’t have to make a report at all to receive support.

Report a sexual offence

If you or someone else is in immediate danger in the UK, call 999.

You can report a sexual offence to either the civilian police or the Service Police.

If you are unsure which organisation to contact, either organisation can explain your options and help you access support. You will be listened to without judgement.

It doesn’t matter whether the offence happened recently or in the past.  

Civilian police

If you are in immediate danger in the UK, call 999.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service 18000, or text if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service. 

If you are in danger and you can’t speak or answer questions: 

  • call 999 
  • press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police 

Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and doesn’t allow the police to track your location. If you don’t press 55, your call will be ended. 

If it is not an emergency, call 101.

Service Police

The Service Police is responsible for policing armed forces personnel and civilians subject to service discipline.

You can report the incident to the Service Police in the UK or overseas if the incident involves a person who is subject to Service Law or a civilian subject to service discipline.

You can:

  • call the Service Police Crime Bureau on 02392 285 170 or 0331 145 7630 
  • attend or call a local Service Police station (the Service Police Crime Bureau will be able to provide a location and contact details)

Specially trained officers will provide support, explain your options, and make sure your needs and wishes are considered. 

The Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) is an independent, professional and global Service Police force with jurisdiction to investigate serious crime committed by those subject to Service law, in the UK and overseas.

Give information anonymously

If you have information about a sexual offence, you can give information anonymously to Crimestoppers.

If you have experienced a sexual offence and wish to report a crime, you should contact the police directly to get support and advice.

For more information visit the Crimestoppers website.

Get medical help

Medical centre 

Your local medical centre or GP practice is a safe place to ask for help.  

Medical staff can provide physical and mental healthcare, refer you to specialist services and support your wellbeing at work.

They will not normally share information unless there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else.

NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centre

A Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is a specialist NHS service for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused.

You can contact a SARC without reporting to the police. You can go at any time, and do not have to go alone.

SARCs can offer medical, practical and emotional support. They have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you.

Services are free and available to everyone regardless of gender, age, the type of incident, or when it happened.

Services include:

  • crisis care
  • medical and forensic examination
  • emergency contraception
  • sexual health support
  • access to a sexual assault advisor
  • referral to mental health support and sexual violence support

For more information visit NHS help after rape and sexual assault.

Get support

You can access support whether or not you choose to make a formal report.

There is no wrong way to seek support.

Different services can provide information, practical help and emotional support, depending on what you need.

Defence personnel can find more guidance on how to recognise and respond to unacceptable or criminal behaviour and get support on the Call it Out hub on Defence Gateway.

Available to all personnel:

Local support 

If you would prefer to speak to someone directly, support is available through local Defence networks.   

You can speak to: 

  • a friend or colleague 
  • your manager or Chain of Command 
  • welfare staff  
  • a diversity and inclusion adviser
  • staff networks 
  • a padre or chaplain 
  • a Trade Union representative (civilian personnel only) for advice and support on workplace issues and complaints processes

If you choose to inform your Chain of Command about a sexual offence, their duty of care means they must tell the Service Police.

Defence Victim Witness Care Unit

The Defence Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) provide support for victims and witnesses of serious crime committed by people who are under service law in the UK and overseas.

It is independent of the Chain of Command and you can self-refer. 

Victim Liaison Officers (VLOs) can explain what support is available, help you access services and make sure your views are understood.  

Helpline: text or call 07974 074259.  

Available Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm, and Friday, 8am to 3:30pm, excluding bank holidays.  

Email: People-DSCC-VWCUGroup@mod.gov.uk 

For more information visit the Victim Witness Care Unit GOV.UK page.

Independent Legal Advisors scheme 

The Independent Legal Advisors (ILA) scheme provides free, independent legal advice and guidance for eligible Service and civilian personnel aged 18 or over, where a reported sexual offence is being investigated within the Service Justice System.

The scheme can help you understand the justice process, your legal rights, what to expect during an investigation, how personal information may be requested or used, and the options available if you are unhappy with how your case has been handled.

The ILA will not tell you what decisions to make or advocate on your behalf. Their role is to give you the information and advice you need to understand your options and make informed choices.

Accessing the scheme is voluntary. Referrals can be made by organisations supporting you, including the Service Police, Defence Serious Crime Command or the Victim Witness Care Unit, and will only be made with your consent.

Support for Service personnel, veterans and their families:

Aurora New Dawn 

Aurora New Dawn is a charity that provides free and confidential support for UK Armed Forces personnel and their families, including those deployed overseas. It is independent from Defence and the Chain of Command. 

The specialist team can support you if you are experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence or stalking.  

Call the helpline or WhatsApp: +44 (0)333 0912 527 

Helpline hours (GMT): 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.

WhatsApp service (GMT): Tuesday 9am to 3pm, Wednesday and Thursday 5pm to 8pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm.

For more information visit the Aurora Dawn Armed Forces website.

Veterans UK 

Veterans UK provides support and guidance for veterans, former members of the Armed Forces, and their families.

It can provide information on welfare support, compensation schemes, pensions and other services available to the veteran community. 

  • call: 0808 1914 218 

For more information visit Veterans UK.

Support for civilians and contractors:

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 

If you are a civilian, the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It can help with personal or work-related issues. EAP will not share any information with your employer or managers. 

Helpline:  

  • 0800 731 8629 (UK)  
  • +44 330 008 5959 (outside the UK) 
  • contact form   

For more information, visit the Workplace wellbeing website.  

If you are deployed or based overseas: 

If you are deployed or based overseas, support arrangements may be different from those available in the UK.  

Contact the local Service Police in the first instance and they can explain the support and services available to you. If local Service Police support is not available, contact the Service Police Crime Bureau on 02392 285 170 or 0331 145 7630 for advice and support. 

Defence medical staff can provide advice on the support and care available in your location. 

You can also access support from:  

Other support organisations 

Victim and witness services - GOV.UK

Victims of crime and sexual violence 

Domestic abuse 

If you have experienced other unacceptable behaviours which might include being: 

  • bullied 
  • harassed (sexually or otherwise) 
  • discriminated against 
  • victimised after raising a concern 

Find more information on GOV.UK: Defence support: bullying, harassment or discrimination.

Defence personnel can find more guidance on how to recognise and respond to unacceptable or criminal behaviour and get support on the Call it Out hub on Defence Gateway.

Updates to this page

Published 9 September 2026

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