If there is a court case
It is the responsibility of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to prosecute the person who is charged with attacking you.
There are two stages to the court case:
The first stage takes place at a magistrate’s court. This is called a committal hearing. You will not have to attend as your statement about the attack will be enough. The magistrates will consider the evidence and the case could then proceed to crown court.
The second stage is the trial. You may have to appear at crown court where there will be a judge and a jury. You will be helped to go through with your evidence by the prosecution barrister. Another barrister for the defence (the accused) will ask you questions about what you have said.
There are laws which stop newspapers and television from printing your name or telling people who you are; this stays in force throughout your life. They can however print or tell what you actually say in court providing it does not identify you.
The Crown Court Witness Service is available to support you. Their staff will arrange for you to visit the court before the trial if you wish. If you are concerned for your personal safety or your family, the security at court can arrange protection.
If you are unsure about any of the court procedures the witness service will be able to answer your questions.
If your attacker is found guilty or pleads guilty, the judge will be given an “impact statement” which tells the court how the attack has affected your life and that of your family. The impact statement is taken from you shortly before sentence is passed.