What counts as first disclosure of a crime? Possible TW in thread.

[DrizzleandDamp]

When is it counted as “disclosing” a crime? I’ve been looking at records the police have on a crime I’m trying to make them prosecute (feel free to advanced search that’s the TW). And the specialist who I disclosed to is really clear this was a horrific attack and I said stop in their notes and that I was injured. But the person I was with for 5 minutes from walking in to before they referred me has written that I didn’t want to report and “wanted it” in a brief paragraph. I was in a total state of trauma and pain at the time, filthy clothes and just wanted medical help and not to be looked at or communicated with.

I’m spinning a bit on that, all other evidence backs up my account throughout including injuries but that paragraph has cut like a knife and I’m worried will be used by them not to prosecute again as they say they have the statement from “the person you first disclosed to”.

Bump sorry anyone?

Some of your text is difficult to understand/read (I don't know what you mean by advanced search), so I'm not totally sure if I understand you correctly.

If the crime relates to sexual assault, it is clear you need to get some advice, not from a public web forum.

In Ireland there is a specific contact you'd have with respect to specific (technical/process) questions on legal advice/service.

RCC would also be able to help with their experience of typical process, issues in your area.

Please reach out for proper support, you will get it, and it will very helpful for you.

Sorry advanced search I meant if you search my username I posted before about the case itself. It was a rape.

I do have legal help to be fair but don’t want to bug them with me spinning myself out over the weekend (thanks police for emailing on a Saturday!!).

@DrizzleandDamp, thanks for the clarification re the crime.

That's great you have legal help. They will know how complex and confusing and frustrating this can be to people not familiar with the process. They'll be able to give some advice. It is their job.

Can you contact them by email? My recommendation would be to send them an email later this evening 9PM or 10PM. Then it will be top of their inbox on Monday morning.

To answer your question the person you first disclosed to is the person you tell first. So if you get home after being raped and say to your mum I've been raped I went on a date with Phil and X Y Z happened then your mum has taken your first disclosure.
I'm sorry a bad thing happened to you and I hope you get the justice you seek and deserve

Thank you Artful so I’m thinking “paragraph” person who asked me if I’d been attacked and who by and if I wanted to report” but who I shut down in front of and basically said no, no, it was my own fault”. Isn't first disclosure.

The specialist who I eventually told what happened is?

They were asking as I was physically hurt and filthy.

It’s just fucking with my head that she wrote that I said “I wanted it”. What woman writes that when someone is in so much pain they can barely walk, covered in crap and in a state of shock?

by the banks I could and might thank you, to be honest I’m just spinning and laid enough of my emotional crap on them as it is I think.

If paragraph person is the first person you spoke to then yes they are your first disclosure, your first disclosure was that no you hadn't been attacked and it was your own fault. Regardless of the fact that you felt able to open up and tell someone the truth later this remains your first disclosure. However it isn't uncommon for a victim in shock to deny that an offence has occurred and this should be taken into consideration when looking at the bigger picture and other available evidence.