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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rape-and-sexual-assault-in-the-dominican-republic/dominican-republic-information-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault
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 make informed decisions about whether and how to seek medical advice and attention, report to local police and engage with local legal authorities following a rape or other form of sexual assault in Dominican Republic.
For information on support available in the UK, see Rape and Sexual Assault: Returning to the UK
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:
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.
In the Dominican Republic the General Attorney’s Office (Procuraduría General de la República) provides Specialised Victims Units (SVU) which are located throughout the country, to deal with Rape and Sexual Assault cases. Victims that report incidents to the police would be referred to the nearest SVU after taking down details and making an initial report.
The SVU’s regular office hours are: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday
They are normally able to provide translators, however these arrangements may take time.
You must report the crime before returning to the UK if you want it to be investigated. For this, the protocol set out by the Attorney General’s SVU in Dominican Republic must be completed.
The Specialised Victims Unit Protocol:
At the Specialised Victim’s Unit (SVU), the District Attorney will take your declaration to file a formal report.
They will proceed with evidence collection that will include:
If you are a minor you must be accompanied by an adult either parent or guardian.
The medical and psychological evaluations are part of the evidence gathering process and are free.
Victims do not run a risk of being penalised when reporting an RSA to local police. Extramarital sex and homosexuality are not crimes in the Dominican Republic and there are established processes for handling rape and sexual assault. Drinking is not a crime but drug taking however is a crime, and will be penalised.
You can request to be interviewed by a police officer of a particular gender although there is no guarantee one will be available. It is very rare that local police officers speak English. You might consider having your own interpreter with you when you visit the police station.
Investigations are led by the District Attorney’s Office and victims will not have to surrender their passport whilst any investigation is carried out.
A consular officer may be able to accompany you while you file the report with the police as well as during subsequent visits to the SVU, where timing and location allow.
Local legal procedures differ from those in the United Kingdom. You are not required to appoint a lawyer as the public prosecutor is responsible for prosecuting the case. At times, the local legal system may experience peaks in workload that can affect their delivery capability.
You can appoint a local lawyer to help with following up on the legal processes as well as progress of the case.
List of English-Speaking Lawyers in Dominican Republic
List of Medical Facilities in Dominican Republic
List of Translators in Dominican Republic
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 will need to make a statement about the incident including a description of the attacker(s).
The police/District Attorney will keep any clothes or electronic equipment, which may be evidence of your attack to present to a forensic examiner.
The police will refer you to the nearest SVU after taking an initial report. There are SVUs located throughout the country.
In the Dominican Republic, local police/District Attorney will not as a matter of course inform UK police nor ask UK police to undertake police checks on the victim.
Medical treatment for RSA victims is available from the SVU. It is mandatory in the Dominican Republic that hospitals report any RSA cases they receive to the District Attorney’s Office. These cases will also be a referred to the nearest SVU.
Medical examinations are performed with the victim’s consent, by the Forensic Doctor at the SVU as part of their RSA protocol. The victim can request to be examined by a male or female doctor and the SVU may provide for this, subject to availability.
The examiner will ask some questions and may take photographs of any injuries. During the examination, s/he will normally check the following:
A consular officer may be able to accompany you during your visits to the SVU, where timing and location allow. Also, local tour operators are likely to assist.
If you seek medical attention due to RSA, the hospital will have to report it to the authorities and refer you to the nearest Special Victims Unit (SVU), where post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment is part of their protocol. The PEP kit will be provided at a local nearby hospital indicated by the SVU. This is medically prescribed and you will have to follow the recommendations provided.
When the case is presented to the court by the District Attorney, the Judge will decide if the suspect will go to trial or, be released if the court believes there is insufficient evidence to prosecute.
It is very rare that local police officers speak English. You might consider having your own interpreter with you when you visit the police station. The District Attorney’s office is normally able to provide translators, however these arrangements may take time as they are subject to availability.
Victims should remain in contact with the District Attorney’s office to request updates regarding trial process as well as to provide any information required from them by the court. All judicial procedures are conducted in Spanish. At times, the local Justice system may experience peaks in workload that can impact their delivery capability.
List of English-Speaking Lawyers in Dominican Republic
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).
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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