My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

MNHQ have commented on this thread

Relationships

CPS won't prosecute my rape because..

89 replies

ahundredacre · 19/01/2017 13:42

I am not traumatised enough.

I have just got an email from my solicitor with the response from my victims right to review appeal. This was the key line. I haven't read the attached CPS letter yet because I'm on public transport trying not to cry. Apparently in text messages after the event I do not sound traumatised enough.

OP posts:
Report
Allatseainthemidlands · 19/01/2017 13:43

No advice- but Flowers- how horrible for you. Huge sympathy for you and rage that you are having to go through this.

Report
venusinscorpio · 19/01/2017 13:45

That's awful and shit OP. It's not necessarily a personal judgement on you though, it's a reflection that they know how it would play to a rape-myth influenced jury. It's bollocks and I'm not trying to excuse it. I'm so sorry Flowers

Report
DreamingofItaly · 19/01/2017 13:46

This is awful. How can you "sound traumatised" in a text message?? I think you need to get another opinion and pursue your case.

This is exactly the reason why so many rape survivors don't bother even trying to get justice. Be strong and continue.
Flowers

Report
DMnamechanger · 19/01/2017 13:47

Flowers venus has hit the nail on the head.

Report
ahundredacre · 19/01/2017 13:50

They are supposed to be making a decision based on a theoretical jury wholly unaffected by rape myths. That's their guideline. I feel so powerless. Maybe we should put out a memo to all women, that in the case of rape they need to put on a display of being traumatised instead of pretending to be fine and hold it all together. :(

OP posts:
Report
ahundredacre · 19/01/2017 13:51

(Thank you for the support)

OP posts:
Report
ahundredacre · 19/01/2017 13:52

Sorry I just reread and wondered if that came across as sarcastic - it wasn't I just forgot to say it before.

OP posts:
Report
MrsBertBibby · 19/01/2017 13:58

That is horrendous. And bitterly ironic, so soon after Jill Saward's death.

I am so sorry. Can you bear to seek a review? And to take it to your MP if they're any good?

Report
UnbornMortificado · 19/01/2017 14:01

That's fucking horrible.

I'm so sorry Flowers

Report
TheCuriousOwl · 19/01/2017 14:06

Many many hugs. And tea and also wine if it helps.

They wouldn't prosecute mine because I might not have said no enough, that telling him to stop wasn't enough and I wasn't convincing enough that I said no.

They interviewed me in a freezing room, didn't offer me a drink, were patronising and mocking. And came to my house to tell me the above news.

I believe you. I'm sorry this happened to you.

Report
venusinscorpio · 19/01/2017 14:09

I don't think you came across as sarcastic at all. if you can take it further you may want to look at your options to do this, but I can fully understand if you don't want to. Only you can decide this.

Report
user1475253854 · 19/01/2017 14:09

FFS. I'm so sorry ahundredacre Flowers

Report
user1475253854 · 19/01/2017 14:10

That's so horrible FuriousOwl Flowers

Report
togetherlikeglue · 19/01/2017 14:13

I'm really shocked, and really sorry.

Report
FranksBobot · 19/01/2017 14:13

ahundredacre Flowers that really is shocking. I'm so sorry I wish there was more I could say or do to help.

Report
Fuckityhi · 19/01/2017 14:15

That's fucking horrible. Is there anything you can do? Not that you should have to. Is it the final word? I just can't believe this shit can happen.

So sorry OP.

Report
AyeAmarok · 19/01/2017 14:18

Fucking outrageous.

I'm so sorry, OP. What a crappy country we live in sometimes.

How much longer is the system going to let rapists rape with no consequences?

It's a text message. That's often why people use texts, because it's easy to throw words down and mask how you're really feeling.

Report
Starlight2345 · 19/01/2017 14:19

Flowers

I didn't realise there was a specific response to been raped which determined whether it was a crime or not ( that was sarcasm)

I would be furious if I was you.

Report
Nabootique · 19/01/2017 14:19

I never even reported mine, because I thought I'd be treated much like Owl was. No wonder so many go unreported. Even if they believe you they choose not to prosecute. It makes me sick. Flowers for Owl and ahundredacre. It's a fucking outrage.

Report
pudding21 · 19/01/2017 14:21

OMG, speechless. Surely they prosecute on the legal definition of rape. Rape is rape. People deal with things in different ways. This is like something out the 18th Century. Big hugs, I am horrified.

Report
M0stlyHet · 19/01/2017 14:23

Flowers for you, ahundredacre, and for owl.

It is so fucking shit. I remember a friend's rape being "no-crimed" back in the 1980s simply because they thought she wouldn't have the mental strength to stand up to cross examination - I really hoped we'd moved on from there some time in the last 30 odd years, but no.

Report
BarbarianMum · 19/01/2017 14:24

I am so sorry Sad Can you bear to challenge this? Is it even possible?

Report
Fuckityhi · 19/01/2017 14:24

OP I'm wondering if the CPS will examine their position if they had a bit of publicity about this.

I don't accept that rape is okay as long as the victim is the stoic type. It stinks.

Sad

Report
FannyWisdom · 19/01/2017 14:24

Sorry to hear this Hundredacre
The system is failing you, it isn't you or your reaction.

Flowers

Report
EweAreHere · 19/01/2017 14:26

Outrageous and horrible and the reason why more women don't come forward.

I'm so sorry, OP.

Can you go 'public' without using your identity? I would hold the CPS office's feet to the fire on it if that was an option and I was up to it.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.