Sex Crimes

The Sex Crimes Unit is responsible for investigating and reporting sexual assaults when the crime meets the criteria of the Sex Crimes Unit.

Sex Crimes Detectives respond to incidents when victims report crimes that fit with the unit’s criteria. If a Sex Crimes Detective is unable to respond, the District Officer is responsible for the initial investigation and report preparation.  The assigned Sex Crimes detective will conduct a follow up interview with the victim.

Victims and citizens may also contact the Sex Crimes Unit directly by calling the number to the right. Victims are encouraged to call 911 to report sexual assaults in order for them to receive the most effective police response regardless of the time of the call.

The Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department has partnered with the YWCA for over 30 years to provide crucial resources and support in person to the survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence. Advocates can accompany survivors to law enforcement interviews, forensic exams and court proceedings. The YWCA offers free counseling, and their Drop-in Center is open Monday through Friday and appointments are not necessary.

The YWCA has a 24-hour hotline (314-531-1115) – designated phone number for victims/survivors, friends, family, supports to call and speak with an advocate. 

Specially trained prosecutors assigned to the Circuit Attorney’s Office are in place to address sexual assault cases brought to them by the Sex Crimes Unit Detectives.  The Circuit Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit  is also an important partner to assist the needs of victims in cases that move forward through the court process. To contact a CAO Victim Services Advocate, please call 314-622-4373.

As a survivor of a sexual assault, it is important to know that you have rights under Missouri Revised Statute 595.201 Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights.

• Consult with an employee or volunteer of a rape crisis center, who can provide support and advocacy. 
• A sexual assault forensic examination or, if available, a telehealth examination. 
• A shower and change of clothes after the exam, as reasonably available, at no cost to the survivor. 
• Be examined or interviewed by an appropriate medical provider or law enforcement officer of the gender of the survivor’s choosing, when available. 
• An interpreter who can communicate in the language of the sexual assault survivor’s choice, as is reasonable available, in a timely manner. 
• Choose whether to consent to a sexual assault forensic examination to collect evidence, and how to evidence collected will be used. A victim’s choices about the evidence collect kit are: 
  • REPORTED– the sexual offense is reported to law enforcement for investigation and the kit is sent to the crime lab for testing. 
  • ANONYMOUS– The kit is sent to law enforcement and to the crime lab for testing without identifying you. No investigation will occur. 
  • UNREPORTED– The kit is collected and stored but not tested. No investigation will occur. 
• If you have a sexual assault forensic examination kit collected, you can track the evidence by going to: https://safetrack.mo.gov and entering your kit’s bar code number and your authentication code. If you do not remember those two numbers provided when your kit was collected, you can obtain them by contacting the medical provider that collected the evidence or the assigned law enforcement agency. 
• Obtain complete copies of the police reports regarding your case. These reports may be requested from the investigating law enforcement agency. 
• Be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse in any related court proceeding, and reasonable protection from the offender or any person acting on the offender’s behalf following the survivor’s disclosure of the sexual assault. 

The Survivor’s Bill of rights can be further explained in the Revised Statutes of Missouri, Section 595.209

Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Resources

YWCA Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response Team (DV-SART)
24-Hour Hotline: 314-531-7273
Provides advocacy, immediate crisis support, court advocacy, safety planning, counseling and education.

Safe Connections – 24-Hour Hotline: 314-531-2003
Provides advocacy, crisis intervention, counseling, education and referrals.

St. Martha’s Hall – 24-Hour Hotline: 314-533-1313
Provides emergency shelter for abused women and their children.

Women’s Safe House – 24-Hour Hotline: 314-772-4535
Provides emergency shelter for abused women and their children.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri – 314-534-4200, toll-free 800-444-0514
Provides advocacy, immediate crisis support, legal advocacy & representation, assistance with orders of protection, family, immigration, and landlord-tenant law matters.

Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence – 573-634-4161
State coalition providing education, assistance, alliance and research in the field of domestic and sexual violence. Visit the website to find services near you.

Additional Victim Resources: 

National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-4673

Missouri Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988

Deaf Crisis Line- Call 321-800-3323 or Text Hand to 939683

Start Here St. Louis Resource Directory