What happens if police charge someone?

If police decide to arrest or charge someone, that means the person will have to go to court. Under the Charter of Victims’ Rights, you have the right to be informed when a person is arrested or charged.

If someone is charged, they might ask to stay in the community while the court process happens. This is called bail. Police or the court might make decisions about whether a person can be on bail or whether they have to stay in jail. If a person has to stay in jail while the court process happens, this is called remanded in custody. You have the right to know when a person is on bail or in jail.

We talk more about bail and custody in the next step.

If you are worried about your safety when Police are investigating, or after they have charged someone, talk to Police about this. If you are ever in danger, call 000.

Victims' rights
Police must treat you with courtesy, compassion, respect and dignity.
Police will tell you about the progress of their investigation, unless it might jeopardise it.
If police charge someone, they will tell you the name of the person charged.
Police will tell you if they issue a warrant for a suspect’s arrest.
If the person who has hurt you applies for bail, police or a prosecutor will tell you about any application for bail, the outcomes and any special conditions that might impact your safety.
You can complain if your rights aren’t upheld.
You can read the full Charter of Victims’ Rights on our website. Easy-read English and translated versions are also available.
Support
You can also call the Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120.
The Sexual Assault Helpline is available to call 7.30am to 11.30pm, 7 days a week.
There are many support services that provide specialist support to victims of sexual violence. You can find more information here.
Financial assistance
If you are a victim of a violent offence, including sexual assault, you are eligible for financial assistance from Victim Assist Queensland.
Once you report the violence to police (or a doctor, counsellor, psychologist or a domestic violence service) you can apply for financial assistance.
Financial assistance can help you pay for medical or counselling expenses if you have been injured. It can also help you pay for travel to appointments and recover earnings if you were unable to work because of injuries. You may be eligible for special assistance as well.
You can find more information about applying for financial assistance here.
Domestic and family violence
If the person who hurt you was someone you were in a relationship with, a family member, or someone who is caring for you, you might be experiencing domestic or family violence.
Support is available for people experiencing domestic and family violence – you can talk to police or a support service. Police or support services can help you apply for a domestic violence order. A domestic violence order is a legal document. It tells someone not to hurt, threaten, coerce or scare another person they are in a relationship with, or were in a relationship with, or a family member. The order tells someone to follow rules like stay away from another person, or not let children see or hear violence.
More information about domestic violence orders is available here.