Assault is traumatic, especially if it happens overseas and away from the support of family and friends. Assault and violence can happen to anyone, anywhere. It can be verbal, emotional or physical.
This page gives general advice on:
- what to do immediately after an assault
- reporting an assault overseas
- claiming on travel insurance
- how the Australian Government can help overseas
Assault often occurs as part of another crime. Also see our general advice for if you've been robbed or mugged, sexually assaulted or scammed overseas.
What to do immediately after an assault
Your first priority is to get to safety. Take any steps you can to reduce the risk of the perpetrator assaulting you again. This could include going to:
- a well populated place, such as a restaurant or shop
- a police station or emergency services centre
- a hospital
See the emergency contacts section of your destination's travel advisory for local numbers. This includes medical and police contacts.
You can also contact the nearest embassy or consulate, or the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (CEC).
Urgent medical attention after an assault
In the case of sexual assault, you need to be aware that, in some countries, sex outside of marriage is illegal. Police may charge you with a crime rather than treat you as a victim if you report a sexual assault in these countries.
Sexual assault victims have been arrested or jailed after getting medical assistance. If you have any doubts about reporting a sexual assault, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consultate as quickly as possible.
In other cases, if you've been injured after an assault, get to a hospital quickly. You may need emergency medical care.
- Some hospitals ask for payment upfront. They may not treat you until you pay or you give them your insurance details.
- If you don't have travel insurance, you may need to contact your family or friends back home for money. The Australian Government can't pay your bill for you, or loan you money.
- You may need urgent emotional support. Contact Lifeline in Australia. If you call the CEC from overseas, we can connect you to a Lifeline counsellor.
Some of your injuries may not be obvious immediately after an assault. Only a medical professional can determine the extent of some injuries.
The decision to go to a hospital for medical assistance is yours. Delaying treatment may lead to other problems long-term.
Urgent financial needs after an assault
If you've also been scammed, robbed or mugged you may need money urgently. You may need it to pay your immediate medical bills, or to continue your travels.
- Contact your friends and family. Ask if they can transfer funds to you.
- Contact your bank's overseas emergency number. They may be able to coordinate access to your funds quickly.
- Contact your travel insurer's emergency number. Most have processes in place to help their clients overseas.
The Australian Government can't pay your bills for you, or loan you money.
Reporting an assault overseas
It's your decision whether or not you report a crime overseas. Be aware that in some countries it's illegal to not report some types of crime. An assault which occurs during a 'fight' may not be tolerated
You need to respect the local laws in your destination. If not, you could be arrested or jailed.
In the case of sexual assault, you need to be aware that, in some countries, sex outside of marriage is illegal. Police may charge you with a crime rather than treat you as a victim if you report a sexual assault in these countries.
Sexual assault victims have been arrested or jailed after getting medical assistance. If you have any doubts about reporting a sexual assault, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consultate as quickly as possible.
To report an assault, contact the nearest police station. You can also or call the local emergency number. Gather and document any details you can remember, such as:
- where and when it happened
- how it happened
- characteristics of the perpetrator, so you can describe them to police
- details of any witnesses, including travelling companions and bystanders
Remember to get a copy of the police report. Travel insurers are unlikely to pay out if you don't have a police report.
The longer you delay reporting the crime, the more you hinder the efforts of local law enforcement to catch the perpetrator. Police and medical professionals may need to collect forensic evidence from you, or the scene of the crime.
We can provide contact details for local police stations. Call the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate during business hours and follow the telephone prompts.
You can also phone the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra. Call +61 2 6261 3305.
Claiming on travel insurance after an assault
If you've been assaulted, you may need to make a travel insurance claim.
In many countries, the hospital will demand you pay up front for medical services, or handover your insurance details.
- If you need medical assistance, you can contact your travel insurer. They can help arrange local treatment. They can also pay for it.
- Most travel insurance companies have 24-hour assistance centres. You can call them from anywhere in the world.
- If you've already received medical attention, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible.
If you don’t have travel insurance, you'll need to pay out of your own pocket. See our general advice on money problems overseas.
My insurance company says I'm not covered
Your first priority is your health. Seek help from local doctors or hospitals.
If you're insurer says you're not covered, you'll have to pay for your medical assistance. You may need to pay for care up front.
If you can't afford to pay, contact you family and friends. Ask them for money.
If you receive care and don't pay the bill, you're breaking the law. You could be arrested or jailed overseas.
If you feel your insurance company has unfairly refused your claim you can make a complaint. It may take some time to resolve. The CHOICE travel insurance buying guide outlines the complaints process.
How the Australian Government can help
The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help Australians overseas. This includes victims of crime like assault.
In most cases, you'll need to seek support from your family, friends or travel insurer.
It's important to understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.
What we can do
- We can provide a list of local hospitals with doctors who speak English.
- We can explain your choices and support you to report the crime to police if you decide to do so.
- We can provide a list of local lawyers that speak English.
- We can contact your relatives or friends. Only if you consent.
- We can help you access local support and counselling services, where available.
- We can transfer you to an Australian counselling service, including Lifeline.
In rare circumstances we can help you find emergency accommodation, arrange flights home and contact your travel insurer. We may also make representations to local police on your behalf when appropriate.
What we can't do
- We can't give you legal or medical advice.
- We can't make decisions for you. This includes whether to report it.
- We can't investigate the assault. We also can't influence local police investigations.
- We can't force local authorities to act or investigate the assault.
- We can't represent you at a trial.
- We can't advise you how to press charges.
Read more
- See our general advice on what to do if you've been sexually assaulted overseas.
- If you've been assaulted overseas, get medical assistance.
- Understand how and when we can help. Read the Consular Services Charter.
- Before you go overseas, know how to reduce the risk of assault.
See also
- For support, contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).
- For emotional support, get emergency or crisis counselling (Lifeline).