REPORTING OPTIONS
You have options.
Deciding whether to report sexual violence can feel overwhelming. You do not have to make every decision at once.
A SAAP advocate can explain your options without telling you what you should choose.
Not sure whether you want to report?
You can start by asking questions.
Confidential support is available 24/7. 1-866-828-7273START HERE
Reporting is one decision among many.
Some survivors choose to report immediately. Some need time before deciding. Others may choose not to report.
You can still receive confidential advocacy, information, resources, and support from SAAP regardless of whether you report to law enforcement.
- Ask questions before making a report.
- Talk confidentially with a SAAP advocate.
- Learn what reporting may involve.
- Receive a forensic exam without reporting at that time.
- Choose to report later.
- Ask about your rights during the process.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO REPORT
What might happen next?
Every investigation is different, but these are some common parts of the reporting process.
Initial Report
A law enforcement officer may ask for basic information about what happened and where the incident occurred.
Interview
You may be asked to provide a more detailed account of the incident.
Evidence
Investigators may collect physical evidence, digital evidence, documents, photographs, witness information, or forensic evidence.
Investigation
Law enforcement may conduct interviews, review evidence, and complete additional investigative steps.
State Attorney Review
Depending on the investigation, the case may be referred to the State Attorney’s Office for review and charging decisions.
Ongoing Support
SAAP can continue supporting you throughout the investigation and legal process.
DURING A SEXUAL BATTERY INVESTIGATION
Florida law provides specific rights and services.
Florida law requires investigating law enforcement officers to help sexual battery survivors obtain appropriate medical treatment, a forensic examination, and advocacy and crisis intervention services from a certified rape crisis center.
The officer must also notify the survivor about available legal rights and remedies.
§ 794.052
Sexual battery: notification of victim’s rights and services.
Read Statute ↗REVIEWING THE REPORT
You may review the final law enforcement report.
Florida Statute 794.052 requires the investigating officer, before submitting the final report, to allow the victim to review it and provide a statement regarding its accuracy.
If something appears incorrect or incomplete, you may provide information about the accuracy of the report.
YOU CAN HAVE SUPPORT
A SAAP advocate can support you through the reporting process.
You do not have to navigate law enforcement, forensic exams, court related processes, or resources on your own.
An advocate can provide emotional support, explain options, help you prepare questions, provide accompaniment when available, and help connect you with additional resources.
Request Advocate Support →NONREPORTING FORENSIC KITS
Not ready to report?
A forensic exam and evidence collection may still be available without making a law enforcement report at the time of the exam.
Evidence is collected.
You can consent to the forensic exam and evidence collection without reporting the sexual offense at that time.
The kit is stored anonymously.
Florida law requires qualifying nonreporting kits to be stored anonymously with a documented chain of custody.
It is retained for at least 50 years.
Florida Statute 943.326 requires a nonreporting sexual offense evidence kit to be retained for a minimum of 50 years after collection.
You can decide later.
If you later report or make a qualifying request for testing, the kit may move into the reporting and testing process.
EVIDENCE RETENTION
A nonreporting kit is stored for a minimum of 50 years.
The 50 year requirement refers to how long the nonreporting evidence kit must be retained.
It does not mean every sexual offense automatically has a 50 year criminal statute of limitations. Criminal filing deadlines depend on the specific offense and circumstances.
CAN I CHANGE MY MIND?
Yes. You can choose to report later.
If you initially receive a forensic exam without reporting to law enforcement, Florida law allows you to later make a report or request testing of qualifying evidence.
When that happens, the kit may be moved from anonymous storage into the law enforcement and testing process.
A SAAP advocate can help explain what steps to take if you want to change from nonreporting to reporting.
§ 943.326
Covers testing, retention, anonymous storage, later requests for testing, and tracking of sexual offense evidence kits.
Read Statute ↗EVIDENCE SUBMISSION
Florida law sets a deadline for submitting qualifying evidence for testing.
Under Florida Statute 943.326, a sexual offense evidence kit or other qualifying DNA evidence generally must be submitted to the statewide criminal analysis laboratory system within 30 days after law enforcement receives the evidence following a report, or after a qualifying request for testing.
TRACKING YOUR EVIDENCE KIT
Florida has a statewide kit tracking system.
Florida law provides for tracking sexual offense evidence kits as they move through collection, law enforcement, laboratory testing, and storage.
Survivors may be entitled to information about the status and location of their evidence kit.
- Your kit tracking information
- Whether the kit was submitted
- Testing status
- Who to contact with questions
- What happens if you later decide to report
It is not unusual for someone to wait before reporting.
People may delay reporting for many reasons, including fear, shock, trauma responses, concern about being believed, knowing the person who harmed them, safety concerns, or simply needing time.
DELAYED REPORTING
You can still ask about reporting even if time has passed.
If the assault did not happen recently, you can still contact law enforcement or speak with a SAAP advocate about your options.
Whether criminal charges can still be pursued depends on the specific offense, when it occurred, the age of the survivor, and other legal factors.
Do not assume you cannot report simply because significant time has passed.
IF THE SURVIVOR IS A MINOR
The reporting and forensic process for minors is different.
When a minor is involved, law enforcement and child protection processes may include coordination with a Children’s Advocacy Center.
A child may receive a specialized forensic interview and medical forensic examination through the Children’s Advocacy Center when appropriate.
If there is an immediate medical emergency, seek emergency medical attention.
If you are unsure where to start, contact SAAP and we can help explain the process.
IMPORTANT FLORIDA RIGHT
You cannot be required to take a polygraph in order for a sexual offense investigation to move forward.
Florida law prohibits law enforcement, prosecutors, and other government officials from requiring an adult, youth, or child victim of an alleged sexual battery or other sexual offense to take a polygraph or other truth telling device as a condition of continuing the investigation.
Refusing a polygraph does not prevent investigation, charging, or prosecution.
Florida Statute § 960.001FLORIDA RIGHTS + LAWS
Key protections to know.
Rights + Services
Requires investigating law enforcement officers to assist sexual battery survivors with medical care, forensic examination, advocacy, and rape crisis services.
Evidence Kits
Covers testing deadlines, anonymous storage, minimum 50 year retention of nonreporting kits, later testing requests, and kit tracking.
Victim Treatment + Advocate Rights
Includes protections related to fair treatment, advocate presence during forensic exams, and prohibition of required polygraph testing for sexual offense survivors.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
What would be helpful next?
NOT SURE WHETHER YOU WANT TO REPORT?
Start with a confidential conversation.
We can explain your options and support whatever decision feels right for you.