Anonymous evidence collection after a sexual offense

Anonymous evidence collection after a sexual offense in Bremen

If you have been the victim of a sexual offense, you are in a difficult situation, both physically and psychologically. You should definitely seek medical attention, even if no visible injuries are apparent. In cases of sexual offenses, the question of whether to file a report always arises. Many victims are often afraid to do so or, due to the traumatic experience, are unable to make this decision promptly.

Women and girls who have been victims of rape will in future be able to decide within a ten-year period whether they want to report the crime. This is made possible by the project "Anonymous Evidence Collection after Rape," which the GESUNDHEIT NORD hospital network has launched together with the "notruf" association, a psychological counseling center for rape victims.

It allows women who have been raped to undergo an anonymous gynecological examination at Bremen-Mitte Hospital, Bremen-Links der Weser Hospital, or Bremen-Nord Hospital. Trained doctors secure all relevant evidence, such as semen and skin particles. Photos of the effects of physical violence can also be archived. Following this gynecological examination, which is free of charge for the women, the evidence is encrypted and, if necessary, stored anonymously in a refrigerated container for ten years.

If you are not yet able to imagine filing a complaint, please contact one of the following clinics:

Bremen-Mitte Hospital,
St.-Jürgen-Str. 1,
28177 Bremen,
Phone: 0421 497-77877

Bremen North Hospital,
Hammersbecker Str. 228,
28755 Bremen,
Phone: 0421 66 06-13 00

Bremerhaven-Reinkenheide Hospital,
Postbrookstraße 103,
27574 Bremerhaven,
Tel. 0471 299-0.
The doctor can still secure potential evidence. During the examination, please request an anonymous evidence collection. Your evidence will then be stored anonymously with a code number. The police will not be notified.

Steps for anonymous evidence collection

• You should go to a hospital of the Gesundheit Nord group (contact details above). If you do not wish to file a police report, please request an anonymous evidence collection.
• The staff at the hospital are informed about the procedure for anonymous evidence collection and have a kit for evidence collection available.
• After the evidence has been collected, the medical examination report, containing your anonymized data, will remain at the hospital. The secured evidence (e.g., clothing, semen traces) will be stored in encrypted form.
• Using this code number, your submitted evidence can be securely assigned to your investigation report should you later file a complaint.
• Should you wish to file a report at a later date, please inform the police that the evidence was collected anonymously. The police will then take the necessary steps.
• If no report is filed, your evidence will be destroyed after ten years.