This topic is personal to me - Please be sensitive.
I do not know if this is where I should post this,
alot of action is needed, and I am just one woman, one victim, what can I do?
Tell my truth to one other person, who may or may not listen.
But if that one person does,
I've made a little difference xx
Policeman 1,
Thank you for investigating the report of rape I made. You dealt with the case and myself very professionally.
I am not appealing the decision made my the PPS not to prosecute, as the police did their job very well to collect all relevant evidence pertaining to the case and appealing will not change that fact.
If you could also pass on my thanks to Policeman 2, as he dealt with myself and the case sensitively and professionally. I am very appreciative of this.
If you could not pass on my thanks to Policeman 3. He dealt with myself neither professionally or sensitively.
I hope you do not take what I have said personally, as it is not intended that way. I appreciate that you do a very important and difficult job protecting people, and from your perspective, dealing with rape victims who assist you in your enquires into a very serious crime.
However, from the perspective of a rape victim, at the time of reporting (and sadly not many get there) much of the damage has been done. The police are part of damage limitation. You are assisting a rape victim in using their damage to help protect themselves and also protect others, also a very important and difficult choice and job.
Even though I knew there was very little chance of conviction...
I don't know what is in the head of my rapist. I have an idea during the rape he had feelings of excitement and power - "will anyone interrupt me", "can I remove her underwear with out her waking up" "I did, I'm going to get away with this", "I can do anything I want".
If by reporting this, him being questioned by the police is added to his memory of that night.
If he is ever in a similar position, and is triggered,
If this extra memory of this experience makes him think twice,
If it protects someone else from going through it too.
It is worth all the damage.
If you can appreciate the value of what I am saying, it would count more in terms of sensitivity than any training could offer.
And perhaps a better level of trust would be built (and trust is a huge issue for any victim)and better quality of information would be obtained from the victim in a less traumatic manner.
And perhaps ultimately more victims would make the choice to report.
The changes in the law and the pack that is given out are positive changes.
I hope if myself, my daughter or my son ever have to deal with your department in the future
More will have changed.
Thanks again
Bobits
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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions
Letter to policeman dealing with my (historic) rape complaint
15 replies
Bobits · 07/09/2012 16:43
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