Guidance around reporting historical abuse

Historical abuse, abuse that happened in the past, including many years ago can be reported in the UK. These reports are taken seriously, and there are established procedures for investigation and support.

If you’re thinking about reporting, the information below outlines the main steps and the organisations who can help.

1. Contacting the Police

You can report historical abuse directly to the police.

  • Call 101 for non-emergencies

  • Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger

  • You can also report in person at any police station

Share what you feel able to: When the abuse happened, where it took place, and who was involved. You can still report even if the details feel unclear or difficult to remember.

2. Specialist Support Services

These organisations offer emotional support and guidance before, during, or after reporting:

These services can also help you contact the police if you feel uncertain about reporting alone.

3. Seek Legal Advice

If the abuse involved an institution or public authority, you may find it helpful to speak with a solicitor who specialises in this area. They can explain your rights and outline possible options, but you are not required to have legal representation in order to report.

4. Gathering Information

If you have documents such as:

  • Medical records

  • Journals or diaries

  • Messages

  • Previous disclosures

These may support your report, but you can still report abuse without any additional evidence.

5. Confidentiality and Anonymity

You can report anonymously. However, doing so may limit the scope of the investigation. Police and support services handle all reports confidentially and sensitively, recognising the emotional impact of sharing this kind of experience.

What Happens After You Report

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The general process includes:

  • Initial reporting
    A trained officer will take your statement or arrange a safe place to do so.

  • Investigation
    Police may speak with other individuals, gather evidence, or contact specialist support teams.

  • Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
    If there is sufficient evidence, the case may be passed to the CPS to consider charges.

  • Specialist support
    You can receive support throughout the entire process, from police-linked teams, independent organisations, or therapists.

What Therapy Offers

Reporting historical abuse can stir up complex feelings. Therapy offers:

Emotional Support

  • A space to speak openly

  • Help recognising that the abuse was not your fault

  • Support making sense of difficult emotions

Processing Your History in the Present

  • Working through trauma and its impact today

  • Developing strategies to manage difficult memories

  • Building emotional capacity and grounding skills

Exploring Options

  • Talking through what reporting may involve

  • Preparing emotionally if you decide to speak with the police

  • Ongoing support during the investigation if you choose to proceed

Long-Term Healing

  • Rebuilding trust

  • Strengthening boundaries

  • Developing resilience

  • Connecting with specialist organisations when needed

Taking Care of Yourself

Whatever you choose to do:

  • You are not alone

  • Support is available

  • Your pace and safety matter

  • You can take time to decide what feels right for you

If you feel unsafe right now, please contact 111, call 999, or one of the free crisis services on the Crisis page.

FAQ: Guidance Around Reporting Historical Abuse

  • Yes. UK law allows reports of historical abuse regardless of when it occurred. The police treat all such reports seriously, and investigations can begin even years later.

  • You can contact the police by calling 101 (non-emergency) or 999 in an emergency. You can also report in person at a local police station. Provide any details you can recall about when, where, and who was involved.

  • Several UK organisations offer confidential support: NSPCC (for adults abused as children), NAPAC (for adult survivors of childhood abuse), and Rape Crisis (for survivors of sexual violence). They can assist you in contacting the police or finding specialist help.

  • Yes. Therapy provides emotional support before, during, and after reporting. Sessions help you process trauma safely, develop coping strategies, and manage the emotional impact of revisiting past events.

  • Reports can be made anonymously, though this may limit investigation. Police and support organisations are legally required to handle reports with confidentiality and sensitivity.