What Outcry Witness does
Outcry Witness is a confidential, anonymous tool for adults who have experienced sexual violence and who are not yet ready to speak to the police – or are unsure whether they ever will. We encourage survivors to report to the police, especially if the incident is recent or they are still in the immediate aftermath, but we also recognise that many people need time, clarity, and support before taking that step. Outcry Witness helps you organise your memories, reflect on what happened, and prepare for reporting if you choose to.
What Outcry Witness Does
Outcry Witness supports survivors who want to understand and document their experience in a structured, gentle way before making the choice to engage with the police – only if and when they feel ready.
- You can record what happened in your own words, at your own pace.
- The questions are modelled on what police typically ask, to help you prepare if you later choose to report.
- We provide guidance throughout to help you remember details safely and without pressure.
- Your entries are fully encrypted, stored securely, and never expire.
- Only you can access your record – Outcry Witness cannot view, edit, or unlock anything you write.
- You can export your notes if and when you feel ready.
- You can find resources, articles, and signposting.
Outcry Witness exists to give survivors more choices, especially for people who would otherwise never report or those who are coming forward after a long time.
What Outcry Witness Does Not Do
We want to be clear about our boundaries.
Outcry Witness does not:
- Report incidents to the police for you
- Provide crisis intervention or emergency support
- Offer counselling, advocacy, or legal advice
- Access, monitor, or review anything you write
We encourage survivors to consider speaking with the police when they feel ready, and we want to support them in making that choice. However, we do not push survivors in any direction – they alone can make the right choice for themselves. We hope this tool helps make that decision less overwhelming.
Who This Is For
Outcry Witness is designed for:
- Adults (18+)
- Survivors of any form of sexual violence
- People who have not reported to the police yet
- Survivors who are unsure if what happened “counts”, or who need time and clarity
- Anyone seeking a private, structured way to understand their experience before taking further steps
- Outcry Witness is inclusive of all survivors, while recognising that most people using the service may be women.
Your Privacy and Security
No name, email, or identifying information is collected.
All entries are encrypted.
Only you can access what you write.
Outcry Witness cannot read or retrieve your data – not even if asked.
Your record does not expire and remains fully under your control.
Disclaimer
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, contact emergency services or your local crisis support service. Outcry Witness is not an emergency service. Should you need non-urgent other support, you may be able to find it through our Resources page.
If you would like to create an anonymous record of an incident that happened to you, start below.
