Rape and shame

This is terrible for you, but as others have said, it is the system which has failed you. The CPS know how hideously defence barristers behave, and that the smallest discrepancy will be picked over to undermine you. Of course this is bollocks - no witness, of any crime, is 100% reliable - memories just don't work that way. The human brain isn't like a tape recorder which plays back exactly what has happened, and on top of this extreme trauma affects the way your brain works as well. It is not surprising, in fact totally to be expected, if there are small discrepancies between what you told your friend and what you said to the police. It's just that the CPS know that the system isn't fair, and that the defence would make out that unless your memory worked exactly like a tape recorder, you weren't to be trusted. But that's defence lawyers being shits and the CPS being cautious.

I believe you.

^^ what they said.
You could ask what the discrepancy was and you also have a victims right to review, if you still want to pursue it (basically ask the CPS to reconsider the prosecution).
Thank you so much for reporting. When the scumbag does it again, your report will be useful corroboration if his next victim reports it. His DNA is on file should he choose to stranger rape someone. You have reduced the chances of him getting away with this, even if it doesn't feel like it

Breathe.

You did great.

Agree with the others, I don't know what the discrepancy was but can imagine the defence would say if there was a mix up there, there could be one elsewhere, even if it was just about the colour of his top or something (not a lawyer)

This does not mean the police or CPS think you are lying or stupid. Truly it does not. And your report will be there and help if he does anything like it again.

Many

I'm with Antisocial. Reporting rape is an outstandingly courageous act. You should be proud of yourself, huckleberry. The CPS decides whether to prosecute on the probability of winning and rape cases are hard to win. A woman I know had the same experience but at least, having accompanied her, I could reassure her that the police officers were sure she was telling the truth because I'd been sitting with them while she was seeing the doctor. They believed her. It was the CPS that dropped the case.it must be really upsetting for dedicated police officers when they hear that a case like yours or hers is being abandoned.

Huckleberry

I'm so sorry to hear this. I wish I give you what was in my head and make it real for you. In my mind what you did was nothing short of heroic. It was the system that failed you not the other way around.

Rapists are the scum of the earth, and you did everything you could to try and stop one. To do that whilst carrying the weight of what happened is pure courage.

Like I said I wish I could give you that, as it couldn't be clearer to me that you shouldn't feel one mote of shame in fact quite the reverse. I suspect though it will never be as easy as a few impersonal words on the internet, but there it is anyway for what it is worth. I wish you the very best.

They don't think you're lying, they just know that any discrepancies would be leapt on in Court and the defence would therefore plant doubt in the minds of jurors.

The CPS won't take a case forward if they think there is less than a 50% chance of prosecution. That's what I was told by a Police Officer recently anyway.

And yes I have been through the shame you feel when mine was found not guilty. I had to dig deep for my self esteem, it was a long process but I got thru it. Keep posting here for support sweetie - I believe you x

The police don't think you're lying. Without knowing the facts in detail I would say the cps know the defence would jump on the discrepancy and give you hell in court. The cps have to gauge is there likely to be a conviction? In your case they have decided no. I am so sorry this happened to you. If you feel strongly enough you could try a private prosecution. Women Against Rape have supported women through this

I'm sorry to hear that

It's shit. The more I hear about this the more angry I am about it, and the more I feel the decision not to report in my case was the right one. It shouldn't be this way.

I don't think the police will think you are lying or stupid. They will be looking at it in a sterile way thinking what will stand up in court. It's shit.

It's not unusual to feel shame. But you have nothing to be ashamed of. Do you have anyone professional you can talk to? Rape crisis?