uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
someone threatens to rape or sexually assault you

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: 19 July 2026 Last reviewed: 15 August 2026 Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Move to a safer place and involve another person now. If you believe the person may carry out the threat soon, is nearby, or is trying to reach you, call 999.

Do not do these things

Do not meet the person alone to find out whether they are serious.
Do not confront them or announce your plans if that could increase the danger.
Do not feel you must reply, explain, negotiate, or prove anything.
Do not share your current location or movements publicly.
Do not dismiss the threat only because it was made online, framed as a joke, or made by someone you know.
Do not pressure yourself to make every reporting, relationship, work, housing, or education decision immediately.

What to do now

Move to a place with other people, staff, or a lockable door, whichever is safer. If the person is nearby, following you, trying to enter, or you believe the threat is about to be carried out, call 999.
If you cannot speak during a mobile 999 call, listen to the operator, make a sound if it is safe, and press 55 when prompted so the call can be transferred to the police.
Tell one trusted person exactly what was threatened and where you are. Ask them to stay with you, collect you, remain on the phone, or contact emergency help.
At work, school, university, accommodation, or a venue, alert security, reception, safeguarding staff, or another responsible person. Ask them to help prevent the person reaching you and not to disclose your location.
Stop direct engagement with the person if you safely can. Keep your phone available for emergency contact, but silence the person’s notifications or ask someone you trust to help manage incoming messages.
If it is safe and easy, keep the original threatening message, voicemail, or screenshot without replying, but do not take any risk to preserve it.
Contact a specialist sexual-violence or abuse support service for confidential help with immediate safety. You can seek support without first deciding whether to report to the police.
If you are under 18, tell a safe, trusted adult now. If no safe adult is available, contact Childline; call 999 if the danger is immediate.
If there is no immediate danger and you want to contact the police, call 101 or use your local police force’s online contact route. A trusted person can stay with you while you do this.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to end a relationship, move permanently, leave a job or course, tell everyone you know, make a public statement, or pursue a formal complaint. You also do not need to work out why the person made the threat. Focus first on getting through the immediate period safely and involving one reliable person or specialist service.

Important reassurance

A threat of rape or sexual assault is serious whether it comes from a stranger, partner, ex-partner, colleague, relative, friend, or online contact. It is not your fault, and freezing, feeling unsure, or temporarily doing what seems safest does not make you responsible for another person’s threat.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety and support only. Later decisions about reporting, accommodation, work, education, healthcare, or protective measures may require specialist help.

Important note

This is general information for immediate safety and support, not legal, medical, therapeutic, or other professional advice. Call 999 if there is immediate danger or a crime is in progress.

Additional Resources

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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