Guidance

Trinidad and Tobago: information for victims of rape and sexual assault

Updated 4 June 2025

If you바카라 사이트™ve been sexually assaulted it바카라 사이트™s important to remember that it was not your fault. Rape and sexual assault is always wrong 바카라 사이트“ 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.

First steps

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:

• contact the international emergency number on 999, 911 or 555
• contact your tour operator if you are travelling with one
• contact British High Commission Port of Spain by calling 1 868 350 0444.

High Commission 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

If you want to report the incident to the police in Trinidad and Tobago

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 always 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 High Commission on 1 868 350 0444 and they can offer you 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 to the police. You may wish to preserve evidence by retaining items such as condoms, toothbrushes, or texts.

At the police station

In all police stations in Trinidad and Tobago, there is a Special Victims Unit which has trained officers that work together when this type of crime occurs. These officers work closely with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

You will not run any risk by reporting rape and sexual assault to local police: extramarital sex is not a crime. The posession  of alcohol and marijuana (up to 30 grams) for personal use in a private space  is not a crime but the use of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy is illegal.

Male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Trinidad and Tobago. If you are a victim of male homosexual rape, your case will be carefully handled by trained officers.

There are both male and female officers within the Special Victims Unit who will support you. Investigations are carried out by the Trinidad and Tobago police service.

Police will ask you for details such as:

• a description of the perpetrator
• details of the date, time, place, lighting conditions at the time of the incident
• whether other people were present
• if there were any witnesses
• the perpetrator바카라 사이트™s contact information (if applicable)
• fingerprints
• if protection was used (for example, condoms) or not

You will be asked to attend a verification exercise  to identify the perpetrator if you know them. If the perpetrator is not known to you, an ID parade will be conducted. You will be asked to complete a medical examination (performed by the district medical officer), and provide a detailed statement, including a description of clothing and any other items that were present.

British High Commission consular officers are allowed access to the reception area in the police station. You can also request that we accompany you while your statement is being recorded. We will offer you emotional support, as well as help and assist you with contacting a friend or family member and offer other practical support as needed.

You will not have to surrender your passport while investigations are being carried out.

There is no need to instruct your own lawyer  because the state assigns prosecutors for each matter that goes before the court.

You will have to make a statement about the incident including a description of the attacker(s).

The police may keep any clothing or electronic equipment which may be evidence of your attack to present to a forensic examiner. These items will be returned to you after analysis.

The police will take you to the local hospital for a forensic examination.

The police will recommend psycho-social support through the Victim and Witness Support Unit.

You should tell the police if you think you have been drugged.

You can also ask for a police report.

After making a statement

The police  may ask you to go to the scene of the crime, or where you think the attacker is located to try to identify and arrest the person. If you are unwilling to return to the scene of the crime, the police will take a detailed description of the location, obtain a warrant to enter the location and take photographs of the scene.

After the police make an arrest they will charge the perpetrator. The perpetrator then goes to Court. The police can request that the prosecutor objects to bail in the interest of public safety and make an application for electronic monitoring of the perpetrator.

You will not have to go in front of the public prosecutor to make a statement as victim statements are authenticated and submitted to the court. You will need to appear at the request of the defence for cross examination. Hearings can be conducted virtually.

Once the case is filed, you will be allowed to leave the country on special conditions issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions. You may be asked to appear virtually or be brought back to the country at the cost of the state.

If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Trinidad and Tobago

The British High Commission will be able to help you. This includes:

• helping you to contact your insurance company and/or your family
• accompanying you to the local hospital/medical facility, where possible
• providing you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities and
• helping you with 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 you바카라 사이트™re travelling with one. They may be able to help you, including accompanying you to the local hospital.

It is your choice on whether to report the crime. If you don바카라 사이트™t report it, your case may not be investigated.

The medical examination: what to expect 

Where to go

All hospitals and most medical centres provide help and medical treatment to victims of rape and sexual assault.

The examination

• the District Medical Officer (DMO) is the only doctor authorised to perform the forensic examination

• the DMO must report the results to the police in accordance with the law

• the examination will include vaginal/penile swabs, anal swabs, swabs under the nails, any other examination needed according to the physical injuries, blood tests, and radiological tests if needed

• checks include internal and external swabs (described above) and other tests use x-rays and CT scans

You can request a medically trained female chaperone to be present at all times. Neither the DMO nor medical staff will take any photographs of you.

If you want someone to accompany you to the hospital, you can contact the British High Commission Port of Spain or your tour operator. Consular staff and/or a tour operator representative can accompany you to the hospital but not into the examination room.

Treatment

The District Medical Officer (DMO) can give advice on HIV PEP medication (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection after unprotected sexual intercourse). The medication is available free at the public hospital and is available in the emergency room. It will be medically prescribed by the DMO and can only be given to the victim with a prescription from the DMO. At private facilities, this medication will incur a cost.

PEP medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective. The NHS may be able to commence or continue the 28 day treatment when you return to the UK

Emergency contraception also known as the 바카라 사이트˜morning after pill바카라 사이트™ is accessible from the DMO and or medical staff in the emergency room, free of charge at public hospitals with a prescription or medical referral from the DMO. At private facilities, this will incur a cost.

Emergency contraception needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident for it to be effective.

All tests and treatments at  public hospitals or medical centres are free of charge.

Private hospitals will charge for tests and treatment. You will have to pay  if this is not covered by your insurance.

If you are given medication  in Trinidad and Tobago, 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.

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.

In many countries, you need to report the crime before you leave the country, if you want it to be investigated and police to obtain important evidence.

If you are staying in Trinidad and Tobago and the crime took place there, you should report the crime there. 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 Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago. However, foreign police forces decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction and they may not take action.

You can 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 Trinidad and Tobago. This might be necessary in order to protect vulnerable people, or to stop more crimes being committed.

Court procedures in Trinidad and Tobago: what to expect

If a suspect is ordered to trial, you will be expected to testify in court at the beginning of the trial. You will be expected to go in front of the public prosecutor to make a statement. If you are in the UK, you can testify virtually, via video link.

The police  will guide you on next steps and provide you with all case updates.

If the case is referred for further investigation you may be interviewed again and asked to give an additional statement.

You cannot drop charges once they are filed, even if you want to do so. Once there is evidence, the state prosecutor will make a hostile witness application against your wishes and continue to pursue the matter. You will not face charges for this.

The charge of rape is an automatic state prosecution that will not be dropped. The alleged assailant cannot press counter charges claiming false accusations in a private or civil case, nor in the criminal court. The courts can order the offender to pay compensation for any injuries or losses, either after they have been convicted in a criminal court or as a result of civil action.

Taking your case to trial

Once you have made a police report and have given evidence, the police and public prosecutor will investigate the crime, build a case and take it to court. All the information about the case is filed with the police prosecutor and police investigator.

You will play no part in the filing process. Everything is filed on your behalf. The local legal representative is the police/state prosecutor. It will be for Director of Public Prosecutions to decide whether the trial will go ahead, or if further investigations are necessary for this to happen.

A sufficiency hearing will be conducted to determine if there is enough evidence to continue the matter. If not, the matter will be dismissed by the court.

Trial procedures

You will be informed by the state prosecutor when there is going to be a trial.

Victims do not need to be present at every court session. You are only required to attend the Preliminary Inquiry. When the trial starts you will have specific days that you will be required to attend. You will be able to testify from the UK virtually.

If you have to attend a trial abroad, the authorities in the country will assist with travel and accommodation arrangements. This is highly unlikely as you will be able to testify from the UK virtually.

A rape and sexual assault case can take approximately 3 months to 1 year to come to trial. The rape and sexual assault trial can take approximately 3 weeks to 90 days. The Judge determines the sentence and this may occur within 2 weeks. The defendant has the right to appeal. The defendant can use the local court of appeal  and continue to the Privy Council, if needed.

Hiring a lawyer

Lawyers can only provide legal advice, ensure that the victim is fairly treated and protected throughout the proceedings and advise on the criminal proceedings, but they cannot prosecute the matter as this is the state바카라 사이트™s responsibility.

You can .

Communication

During the police investigations, you will primarily communicate with the police. At all stages of the case, you will be able to communicate with the consular team, the police investigator, victim and witness support unit, Rape Crisis Society and the police/state prosecutor. From the time that the report is made, the police investigator, the victim support and the consular team are notified. The police/state prosecutor is then responsible for case management and the trial. Additionally, the Rape Crisis Society is available at the request of the victim.

If you do not live in Trinidad and Tobago, there will be no difference in the procedure. However, if required, the police can place you in a safe house. The High Commission will be notified. You will not have to give a local address. You may be asked if you are staying with local friend/family or at a hotel or accommodation locally.

In Trinidad and Tobago you are not required to appoint a lawyer as the police/state investigator would provide the information and would keep you updated.

Legal aid

You are not entitled to legal aid because the state provides a police/state prosecutor. Private lawyers will charge for services before the case goes to court. You should know that there is no need for a privately appointed lawyer as the police will provide a police/state prosecutor.

Sentencing

Sentences are weighted in favour of punishment. 

The perpetrator may be found guilty of either rape, serious indecency, grievous sexual assault, buggery (anal sexual assault) and/or statutory rape (sex with minors).

Depending on the case, the sentence for a convicted adult perpetrator can be up to 25 years of imprisonment.

If the perpetrator is found not guilty, they will be acquitted.

Compensation

You may be entitled to a state-funded compensation scheme to cover physical or psychological injuries suffered as a result of a sexual or violent crime. This applies to foreign nationals.

Support organisations in Trinidad and Tobago

It is your choice to let people know. If you are ready to talk about it, this organisation may be able to help you.

Rape Crisis Society of Trinidad and Tobago
15 Nepaul Street
St. James
Trinidad
W.I.
rapecrisissocietytt@gmail.com
+1 (868) 346-2637

Bi-lingual freephone hotline operates 6pm to 6am
English and Spanish speaking
Contact number: 866-7428 (SGBV)

Services provided:

• free and confidential counselling: offered remotely from Monday to Friday and 2 Saturdays monthly. Counselling is extended to the migrant population with the use of interpreters

• education and outreach programmes: providing edifying information and material regarding sexual and domestic crimes to groups, institutions and communities

• training workshops: offering practical and engaging training sessions to efficiently equip participants with vital tools, skills and knowledge for treating survivors of sexual and gender-based violence

• counselling courses: facilitating Basic and Advanced Counselling Courses on an annual basis for persons working with survivors of sexual and domestic violence

When you return to the UK

If you believe you may be at risk of having 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 so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice where you live.

England

, or search the internet for 바카라 사이트˜NHS SARC바카라 사이트™

Scotland

+44 (0)141 211 8175

Wales

+44 (0)1685 379 310

Northern Ireland

+44 (0)800 389 4424

Disclaimer

This information has been prepared by UK 바카라 사이트 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 바카라 사이트 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 (2 February 2022).