Basic Instructions. Sexual violence by strangers

Remember — sexual violence is always an abuser’s fault and never the survivors.

What should I do if I am in danger and I need immediate help?

Find out the phone numbers of the police and/or emergency services (it’s better to do it in advance) and call them. 

What should I do if I don’t speak the local language?

If you have to ask for help, but you don’t speak the local language, you may feel even more vulnerable. Try to learn the phrases you need to ask for help and share your location in advance. For example, “My name is… I was raped. I need help. Please come to…[insert address here]”.

In some countries you can ask the police or medical service to provide you with an interpreter. You can also use Google Translate to translate the necessary phrases in advance and save them or write them down. For example: “I need help. I don’t speak English (or another language, depending on the country). Can I get an interpreter?”.

If I have any migration issues (e.g. visa overstay or my registration has expired), is it safe for me to call the police?

If your registration has expired or you are staying in the country illegally, you may have problems while contacting law enforcement agencies and healthcare workers. If you have any issues with your migration status, but you still have to contact the police or healthcare organizations, try to reach out to the organizations that help the survivors of sexual violence, refugees, and migrants at the same time (you can find their contact info on the internet). You can also try reaching out to charities and religious organizations. 

What should I do if I have just been a survivor of sexual violence?

— If you’ve faced sexual violence or are at risk of facing it, move to a safe place as quick as possible and tell someone you trust about what you’ve experienced

— If you were sexually assaulted or raped, don’t wash your body, hair, or your clothes. Put your clothes into a paper bag. You can also wrap it up in paper or fabric. Do not put your clothes into a plastic bag.

— It’s vital to go through a medical examination as soon as possible after being sexually assaulted or raped. If you do it immediately after the assault happened, the results of the examination can be a solid proof that sexual assault actually occurred. In some countries you will have to go through a special forensic examination – you need to get a referral from the law enforcement agency to do this. If you are working with an organization, you should ask your coordinators about it. You can also research info on the internet or ask police officers or doctors.

— If you’re going to the law enforcement agencies or healthcare organizations, you should go with a person you trust who can support you. You can also go there with your lawyer. Unfortunately, in some countries survivors of sexual violence are shamed and neglected by the law enforcement officers. You’ll feel safer and calmer, if someone you trust would be by your side representing your interests.

— 72 hours after the assault (or even better – in the first 4 hours) you should visit some specialized institutions for HIV and STI prevention and get emergency contraception. If the organization you reached out to can’t give you emergency contraception, you can buy it in the pharmacy and take it according to the instructions.

— Some countries have limited access to emergency contraception. Сlarify this issue with the organization you’re working with. You can also research the info on the internet or ask the law enforcement officers or healthcare workers.

— When talking to the police officers, describe what happened to you in great detail, mention the time and place in your report, list all of the possible proofs you can think of, names and contact info of the possible witnesses if there are any.

Where should I go for legal advice and support?

Search for the local non-profit organization that helps survivors of violence, migrants, and refugees.You can also try reaching out to local charities and religious organizations. 

What you should know when moving to another country with a child (Russia).

1. Equality of rights and duties for both parents.

If the child has two parents, the question of moving to another country should be addressed jointly by both of the parents. It also applies when:

— One of the parents lives separately;

— The children’s place of residence is determined by the agreement or a court decision;

— Arrangement for contact between a child and their parents is determined by an agreement or a court decision.

2. The process of coordinating the relocation of the child with the second parent.

Consent of the non-custodial parent to the relocation of their child to another country for permanent residence should be notarised.

If both parents don’t reach an agreement, they have to apply to the court for a decision.

3. How to verify if your child is or is not prohibited from leaving the country.

Both parents can prohibit their child’s right to leave the country. To do so, the parent has to apply required documents to the migration unit of the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the regional or district level. Prohibition can be set until the child becomes of age or for a set period of time.

We advise you to check in advance if your child has such prohibition, even if you reached oral agreement with the other parent.

How can a parent check if his child is prohibited from leaving the country? Here’s our instruction:

1. Go to the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (https://мвд.рф). Go to the «Онлайн-сервисы» section -> «Приём обращений граждан и организаций». You can also go there by clicking on this link: https://мвд.рф/request_main.

2. Fill out the form.

1. Choose «Министерство внутренних дел Российской Федерации» and «Главное управление по вопросам миграции»;

2. Press the «Продолжить» button;

3. Read the information on the procedure of the application and consideration;

*Please mind the time for processing requests and consider them before applying:

The received appeal is registered within 3 days and considered within 30 days from the date of registration. If necessary, this period can be extended for another 30 days, about which the applicant is notified. Therefore, the maximum period from the registration of the appeal to the providing of a response is 63 days.

The response to the appeal will be sent in the form of an electronic document to the e-mail address you provided in the form.

4.  Click «С информацией ознакомлен» and «Подать обращение»;

5. Fill out the form;

Mandatory fields are marked with an «*».

Recommended form:

Я, [insert your full name here], являюсь матерью (am a mother)/отцом (am a father) несовершеннолетнего ребёнка [insert your child’s full name, their date of birth in the DD.MM.YYYY format].

Прошу предоставить информацию о наличии заявления о несогласии на выезд моего несовершеннолетнего ребёнка [insert your child’s full name, their date of birth in the DD.MM.YYYY format] и о том, закрыт ли выезд за пределы Российской Федерации моего несовершеннолетнего ребёнка [insert your child’s full name, their date of birth in the DD.MM.YYYY format]. В приложениях к обращению находится копия моего паспорта гражданина РФ, а также свидетельства о рождении несовершеннолетнего ребенка [insert your child’s full name, their date of birth in the DD.MM.YYYY format].    

6.  Click on «Прикрепить файл» and attach the following documents:

— applicant’s passport;

— child’s birth certificate.3. Expect a response to your email inbox mentioned in the application.

4. Possible consequences of taking your child out of the country without the consent of the second parent, or without a “permissive” court decision.

A parent who took a child abroad can be charged with “international child abduction” if the country where the minor was taken is a party to the 1980 Hague Convention and has accepted the ratification of this Convention by the Russian Federation.

In this case, the parent who took the child will face a lawsuit on the territory of their new country of residence. The court may decide on the return of the child to the country of permanent residence. Read more.