Skip to main content
Home - smartraveller.gov.au, be informed, be prepared - logo
Smartraveller
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Search Smartraveller

Browse destinations

Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • कांसुलर सेवाओं का चार्टर (Hindi)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • Karta ng Mga Serbisyo sa Konsulado (Filipino)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Hiến Chương về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. I've been assaulted overseas

I've been assaulted overseas

Last Updated
Wednesday, 13/11/2019

 

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).

 

Related content

I need urgent help

In the event of a natural disaster or other crisis in or near your location, you may require assistance. Read this page to see where to get help.

View details
Travel insurance

No matter who you are, where you're going and what you're doing, get travel insurance. Learn how to choose a policy that's right for you.

View details
I've been sexually assaulted overseas

Learn more about avoiding sexual assault overseas, what to do if you've been assault and how we can help.

View details

Main navigation

  • When things go wrong
    • Arrested or jailed
    • Lost property
    • Medical assistance
    • Money problems
    • Someone is missing
    • Someone died
  • Crime overseas
    • Assaulted
    • Kidnapped
    • Robbed or mugged
    • Scammed
    • Sexually assaulted
  • Crisis or emergency
    • Demonstration
    • Armed conflict
    • Earthquake
    • Severe weather
    • Terrorist situation
    • Volcanic eruption
    • Bushfire
    • Nuclear incident
  • Australia's biosecurity and border controls

Was this information helpful?

Your feedback will help us improve your experience.

Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

Information in other languages

Find information in other languages.

 

Follow us

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

RSS

News and resources

Read our latest news.

View resources for travel industry and media.

Footer

Australian Government logo. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Privacy policy
  • Copyright
  • Cookies and analytics
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Legal
  • Sitemap

Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • कांसुलर सेवाओं का चार्टर (Hindi)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • Karta ng Mga Serbisyo sa Konsulado (Filipino)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Hiến Chương về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement