A sexual assault is any kind of unwanted sexual activity.  The SFPD Special Victims Unit (SVU) investigates all reported cases of sexual assault, sexual battery or incest. SVU is located on the 5th floor of the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street. Call 1-415-553-1361 or email [email protected].

If you are the victim of a sexual assault:

  • Remember - your main concern must be your personal safety. 
  • Try your best to stay calm. Keep assessing the situation as it is happening. If one strategy doesn’t work, try another. Possible options are: negotiating, stalling for time, distracting the assailant and fleeing to a safe place, screaming to attract attention or physically resisting.

After an assault:

  • Remember, you are the victim. You have nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about. You have the right to get the help you need.
  • Go to a safe place and call 9-1-1 immediately. The sooner you make a report, the greater the chances the suspect may be caught.
  • Do not wash, change clothes, or clean up in any way until after talking to the police and going to the hospital. Any physical evidence may be valuable to prosecution of the suspect.

If you are the victim of a sexual assault but are unsure whether you want to call the police:

Go to the emergency room at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center where you will be seen free of charge by specially trained nurses who are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Make sure to say that you’ve been a victim of a sexual assault. The hospital’s health care professionals will support and care for you whether or not you want to report the crime. At your request, they can also conduct a physical exam to collect evidence of the assault.

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
1001 Potrero Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 1-628-206-8000

If you decide you do want to file a report:

An SVU investigator will be assigned to your case. They will work with the District Attorney’s Office to provide you with a victim advocate. Your investigator will be available to discuss your case through the Special Victims Unit (1-415-553-1361).

If you are a family member or witness to a sexual assault:

Please contact SVU, where we will help you as much as possible. Be aware that active investigations are confidential and the investigator may not be able to share information with you. 

Other Resources Available for Survivors of Sexual Assault:

http://www.sfwar.org/

http://traumarecoverycenter.org/services/rape-treatment-center/

San Francisco Police Department

Safety with Respect for All.