Greece: information for victims of rape and sexual assault
Information to help British nationals make informed decisions following a rape or other form of sexual assault abroad.
First steps
If you’ve been sexually assaulted it’s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault are 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.
It is your choice what you do next, but this information may help you make a decision. The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be. You can:
- call the police on 112
- contact your tour operator, if you are travelling with one
- contact consular staff at the British Embassy Athens on +30 210 7272600 (24/7). If you are in Crete, Corfu, Rhodes or Zakynthos you can also contact the local British Vice Consulate
Trained consular staff will be empathetic and non-judgmental. They 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.
For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and sexual assault: returning to the UK.
If you want to report the incident to the police in Greece
You can report rape or sexual assault at any police station in Greece. In general, both male and female officers are available. However, this is not always guaranteed in practice.
Not all officers speak English. If none are available, then an interpreter will be arranged.
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.
If you approach the police directly, you can also ask them to inform the British consular network in Greece on +30 210 7272600 so you can get 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, take those you were wearing at the time of the incident to the police. You may wish to preserve other items which may contain forensic evidence such as condoms, toothbrushes, and other evidence such as text messages.
Potential risks
Reporting a sexual assault to the police in Greece carries the same general risks as reporting any serious crime. Expect to be asked to recount distressing details more than once and, if the case proceeds, a trial could require you to give evidence.
Extramarital sex and homosexuality are not criminal offences in Greece.
Sexual acts against a person incapacitated from any cause, including intoxication through alcohol or drugs, are considered a crime. Tell the police if you were drinking or taking drugs at the time of the assault, as this affects the medical tests that should be carried out.
Rape and serious sexual assault are prosecuted automatically by the state once reported and generally cannot be dropped by the victim once a formal prosecution has begun. A victim’s wish to withdraw themselves from formal proceedings may not always be taken into account by the prosecutor.
A person suspected of committing rape or sexual assault in Greece may bring a counter-claim alleging false accusation against the accuser. Police will inform you if a suspect has done this.
Police officers
Both male and female police officers are available in Greece. You can request to be interviewed by a person of the same sex. However, this is not always guaranteed, particularly outside major cities or outside normal office hours.
Victims who do not speak Greek have the right to a free interpreter for police interviews and to have key documents written in Greek explained to them.
Waiting times for an interpreter can vary.
Making a statement and submitting evidence
You should:
- tell the police if you think you have been drugged
- ask for a police report. All police reports are written in Greek
A psychologist should be called to prepare you for the examination before it takes place. In practice, access to a psychologist may occasionally be delayed or unavailable. Where available, their report is included in the case file.
You will be asked to give a detailed statement, including a description of the attacker(s). Your statement is drawn up in writing and is also recorded on electronic audiovisual media, where possible.
The police may also ask you to submit items as evidence, such as the clothing you were wearing.
Police may retain clothing and other physical evidence for forensic testing; ask what will happen to any personal items or electronic devices taken as evidence and when you can expect them to be returned, as this can vary.
A forensic medical examination is only available if you report the incident to the police, as it is carried out at the request of the Public Prosecutor or Investigating authority through the Forensic Medical Service.
The police do not withhold the passport of the victim as part of the investigation. You should be free to travel once you have given your statement.
Rape and serious sexual assault are classified as felonies under Greek law and are investigated under the judicial system, meaning an Investigating Judge, working with the Public Prosecutor, directs the evidence-gathering process rather than the police alone.
Available support
Consular staff can be on hand by phone or accompany you to the police station, though this depends on location and staff availability.
You are not automatically assigned a lawyer as a victim of crime in Greece. You may consider instructing a private lawyer yourself and register as a civil claimant to strengthen your right to be kept informed and to participate in the proceedings.
Find an English-speaking lawyer in Greece.
There is no automatic mechanism for Greek police to notify UK police of your report. If you want UK police or support services to be aware, you will need to contact them yourself.
Underage victims
For victims who are under 18, extra legal protection applies. A trained child psychologist or psychiatrist must be present whenever the police or a court interviews a child about a sexual offence, and their evidence is video-recorded where possible.
They are also not formally summoned to trial as witnesses, to avoid further traumatisation.
After making a statement
Police may ask to take you to the scene of the crime or ask you to help identify a suspect (for example, through a photo array).
You are not usually required to appear before the Public Prosecutor in person. Your written statement generally forms the core of your evidence at the pre-trial stage. Check with the Investigating officer.
If you appoint a private lawyer, they can access the case file and request updates on your behalf. The British Embassy in Greece is not able to request updates on active or upcoming court cases as it is considered a third party by the court. Such requests would need to be made directly to the courts by an appointed legal representative.
If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Greece
The British Embassy can still assist you, including by:
- helping you to contact your insurance company or your family
- accompanying you to the local hospital or medical facility, where possible
- providing you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers and translators
- helping you to make 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 by accompanying you to the local hospital and with travel and accommodation arrangements.
It is your choice whether to report the crime. If you don’t report it, your case may not be investigated.
You should consider time-sensitive treatments such as HIV post-exposure prophylaxis and emergency contraception even if you do not wish to report the crime to the police.
The medical examination: what to expect
If you are given medication to take while abroad, 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.
Where to go
There is no single national network of dedicated Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Greece equivalent to those in the UK. Not all hospitals or medical centres are equally equipped to treat rape and sexual assault victims. Ask the police or consular staff which local hospital is most appropriate.
Examination
If you want someone to accompany you to the hospital, you can contact the British Embassy or your tour operator to ask for this.
The examination is usually carried out by a forensic medical examiner. It typically includes a check for injuries, swabs for DNA and other forensic evidence.
Photographs may be taken to document any injuries, as part of the forensic evidence.
A request for a female examiner or female staff to be present may be accommodated, where possible. Male victims of sexual assault are entitled to the same forensic and medical procedures.
The results of the examination normally form part of the evidence made available to the investigating authorities. You can request a copy of the forensic report through your lawyer.
HIV prevention
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication (a treatment that can prevent HIV infection) needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.
The NHS may be able to start or continue the 28-day treatment when you return to the UK.
Hospital staff at Infectious Disease departments in large cities can advise on and prescribe PEP. Availability in smaller islands and towns is less certain.
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.
Emergency contraception is available without a prescription from Greek pharmacies.
Paying for treatment
If you hold a valid UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you should be entitled to state healthcare, including forensic and emergency treatment, on the same terms as a Greek resident. If you have travel insurance, check whether it covers any additional costs, and keep all receipts.
If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK
The support available to you and your access to justice may depend on where you report the crime.
You may need to report the crime before you leave Greece if you want it to be investigated and police to obtain important evidence.
If you live in or are remaining in Greece and the crime took place there, you should report the crime there. If you need help to report the crime, you can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London.
If you do not report the crime in Greece and you return to the UK, you can still report the matter to your local UK police who should send the information you provide to Greece. However, foreign police forces decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not take action.
You can also 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 Greece. This might be necessary to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.
Court procedures in Greece: what to expect
Trial procedures
If your case proceeds to trial, you may be summoned to testify in court, typically as a witness for the prosecution.
Testifying by video link from the UK is generally not available for court trials in Greece. Victims need to travel back to Greece to give evidence.
A court summons will be served to your address in the UK or to your appointed lawyer in Greece when the trial date is set. The language in the court will be Greek however, the court will provide an interpreter for you to assist you while you are giving evidence.
Costs for travel to Greece and accommodation will be covered by the court. Normally, you will have to make your own arrangements, pay for them, and then reclaim the costs. You need to keep all relevant documents and receipts to do this. If you do not have the funds for travel and/or accommodation, you should contact the court.
It is common for cases to take several years to come to trial due to large caseloads within the Greek judicial system. If the suspect has been remanded in custody until the trial, the case should go to trial no later than 18 months after arrest.
The length of the trial can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses, from a single day to several sessions.
Both the defence and, in some circumstances, the prosecution have a right of appeal. Your lawyer can advise further.
Sentencing
Rape is classified as a felony. The offence covers both acts committed by force, threat or coercion and sexual acts carried out without the other person’s consent, including where a person is unable to give free consent. Sexual harassment/indecent acts are considered lesser offences.
Sentences for rape can range up to life imprisonment for aggravated circumstances (for example, where the victim is a minor, where multiple perpetrators are involved, or where the act results in serious harm).
Hiring a lawyer
A lawyer can assist you in asserting your rights in a rape or sexual assault case. See list of English-speaking lawyers and list of translators and interpreters.
Legal aid
Legal aid is available in Greece. To apply, you need to submit a request to the relevant court together with evidence of your income. The court assesses eligibility case by case.
Where granted, legal aid typically covers court fees and the appointment of a lawyer for specific proceedings. It does not necessarily cover all related costs.
Compensation
Greek courts can order a convicted perpetrator to pay compensation to the victim as part of the criminal proceedings, if you have registered as a civil claimant through a lawyer.
Points of contact
During the police investigations, you will primarily communicate with the police. 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 Greece 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 do not automatically have the right to access your case file and will not be kept informed of case developments by the court. To acquire this right you will need to become a civil claimant. You should speak to a lawyer in Greece about this application process.
Support organisations in Greece
It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, there are support organisations for women across Greece, including centres funded by local municipalities. The British Embassy can provide details of organisations in your area.
Additionally, this organisation may be able to help you.
WomenSOS
Tel: (24-hour support): 15900
Email: sos15900@isotita.gr
Aimed at women who receive physical, psychological, verbal, financial, sexual violence, women who have suffered rape or attempted rape, who have been victims of prostitution, trafficking or who have suffered sexual harassment.
Counsellors provide psychosocial support to women and appropriate referrals are made to counselling centres, hostels and other partners. Your case will be treated in confidence.
Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre
Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis Centre is a support service for British women and girls aged 13 and over who have been raped, sexually assaulted or sexually abused. They can also assist friends and family members of survivors.
Their service gives access to UK-based real time support from anywhere in the world via telephone, instant messaging or email.
Helpline and live chat are available from Monday - Friday 11am – 2pm and Monday - Thursday 5.30pm – 7.30pm UK time.
When you return to the UK
If you think there is a risk that you have 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. You can talk to them about your experience, and they can help you get further support and advice where you live.
England
Help after rape or sexual assault
Scotland
NHS Inform Scotland: Help after rape or sexual assault
Wales
New Pathways: Life Beyond Sexual Violence
Northern Ireland
The Rowan (SARC)
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 British embassies, high commissions or consulates 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).