Sexual Assault

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual assault, call the emergency phone as soon as possible: (+34) 675 23 56 56

1. Get to a safe location 

Away from the attacker. 

2. Contact someone who can help you immediately 

A friend, the emergency phone, or local police 112.

3. Keep evidence intact. 

Help to preserve the evidence in case you desire to fill out a police report later. Keep the pieces of evidence together inside a paper bag or a pillowcase (no plastic bag) and store them in your room. The police will collect them in the following days after the police report. 

4. Go immediately to the emergency room 

Go to HOSPITAL CLINIC (Carrer de Villarroel, 170 in Barcelona). This is the local hospital that has a sexual assault unit. If you are outside of Barcelona, go to the nearest hospital. 

At the hospital: 

You will first be treated for any injuries that you may have suffered. There will be a gynecological exam, blood tests, and all forensic evidence of the attack will be collected. You will also be given medications to avoid any infections, prevent pregnancy, and possibly something to help you rest/sleep later while back home.

A psychologist will be provided to help emotionally and to set up a plan of action. 

If requested, police will be notified of the attack and an initial police report will be made while at the hospital. You will most likely be asked to go later to the police station to submit a more thorough police report. 

Medical attention IF you do not want to report to the police: 

If you do not wish to report the assault to the police during your visit to Hospital Clinic, all forensic evidence of the attack will be collected anyway, which is a good idea should you change your mind about filing a report in the future. 

If the event is not being reported in the immediate aftermath of an attack, you should still go to the hospital or doctor to check for any infections or health concerns that may have arisen and speak with a psychologist. 

Reporting a sexual assault at the police station means you give a statement (denuncia) about the assault to a police officer. 

You should go to Els Mossos d'Escuadra police station (the one closest to where you are or your home). You may request an English-language interpreter at the police station at any time. Our staff will accompany you to the station and support you along the process. 

This process takes quite a long time as they want to be sure to gather as much detail as possible. Remember to read the report carefully and sign it only when it says exactly what you want it to say.  

After you have given your statement, you will be informed in writing of your rights as a sexual assault victim, and the next steps in the process. If you have not yet been treated by a local hospital, they will ask you to be taken to the hospital for a sexual assault forensic exam.  

In some cases, over the next few days, you may be required to participate in a crime scene walkthrough, lineup identification, or confirm your statement in front of an investigating judge. 

The U.S. and Spanish legal systems are very different. Unlike in the United States, in Spain, a court and a judge will become involved in most cases from the beginning.  The investigating judge (juez de instrucción) is similar to a prosecutor in the United States. 

You may be asked to appear in front of this judge to confirm your statement at an early stage of the case.  After the phase with the investigating judge, the case may be tried. The trial will take place in a different court, with a panel of three judges or a jury.  

As a victim, you are not required to retain an attorney, but Spanish law allows for that possibility.  If you do retain one, the attorney will be able to inform you of the different motions and steps in the procedure.  You can find a list of English-speaking attorneys here.  

There are also some advocacy organizations that will help you, at no cost, to navigate the judicial system.  These organizations include the Barcelona Lawyer’s Bar, Legal Orientation Services, the Crime Victim Attention Office (OAVD) (email: atencionvictima.dji@gencat.net), as well as local attorneys and translators. Their resources are limited and they may not have English-speakers on staff at all times.