Would you report a rape that happened to you when you were 13 if you were in your fifties?

[Appalonia]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and although I know there's zero chance of a conviction as it was so long ago, I just want to do it to acknowledge that it did happen and to tell that innocent girl that yes, I did do something about it, even though I couldn't at the time, because I wouldn't have been believed, because it wasn't safe and because he told me he'd kill me if I told anyone?

Or will I just be told to go away as I'm wasting the police's time...?

Personally I think you’re more likely to get the closure you seek through therapy or counselling. The criminal justice system doesn’t treat rape survivors well, and it’s not something I’d put myself through personally without a real reason to believe it would result in a conviction or otherwise make a difference.

Sorry that happened to you.

What country are you in?

If the perpetrator carried out other attacks there could be a chance others would come forward and the pattern of behaviour would be revealed, then the criminal could be brought to justice?

There's nothing to stop you reporting to the police. They will investigate providing the perpetrator is still alive.
Whether this will result in a prosecution is down to the cPS but regardless it may give you some closure.
Police will also put you in touch with specialist support.

I agree with this view. Seeking counselling would be more beneficial to you to talk it all through.

I am sorry that happened to you. I actually did something similar and I do feel better for it. I was sexually abused by a stranger at 11 - the first time I had therapy I was about 19/20 and the abuse came up...and then several other times during different therapies in my life the abuse would come up. But it wasn't until I was about 51 and a new therapist asked me if I was going to report it...that it ever occurred to me I could report it retrospectively. I also had had that nigglying feeling that I had not reported it - I get that as children we didn't have the language or an understanding of how that might all work or there might be another reason...but I still felt irrationally guilty.
The police where very professional and thorough - and although reporting it was very difficult because I was asked to give a very detailed account - so detailed that I now remember more of the abuse as I had to work out everything out...I do feel better for it as it gave me the power back and closure. I also told them I was reporting it incase he had assaulted anyone else and I wanted them to know they were not alone. You do what is right for you - you could always start the process and stop it if its not what you want. Good luck in your decision.

Can I just say to the above comment about the person being alive...it was clear from the outset due to his age it was very unlikely my abuser was alive when I reported it and that did not deter the police but I am guessing cases are different.

Speaking as a survivor of domestic abuse I wouldn't. The police are too busy to be bothered and you risk reliving very terrible experiences that propel you back to when you were a victim.

It's not a waste of time. I agree that counselling might help you decide whether reporting is right for you or not, but these things are taken seriously. The police could advise you whether they think it is likely to result in a prosecution as I understand it, and it wouldn't go to court if this is unlikely.

I know someone who was interviewed as a witness because of an allegation made by someone in very much the same circumstances as you. There was a pattern and the man did face consequences. He was in a position of authority over many children

Closure and peace may be elusive. But if you think saying something will help you, definitely do.

All the very best.

It depends why you are reporting IMO.

If you need closure, help, then no - reporting won't give you that at all. It will give you stress.

If you think this man is still raping other 13yos/girls/women, then yes, report him if you want to and are prepared to go through that process.

If you think it will bring you peace, yes. I’m not sure it would, as it’s highly unlikely that evidence would cross the threshold needed for CPS to bring charges now.

But I also think sometimes, it’s enough just to verbalise it. Put it on record. What happened to you was something that should never happen to any girl.

It could be happening to another girl.

It does give some people closure. A relative reported historic child abuse and nothing (much) happened to the perpetrator but she found it helpful all the same.

I would report it because they may have received other reports about him also and it may help to build a case.

Yes definitely.

If you are prepared for all eventualities yes

But if you have one idea of what you think should happen then no

Unless you are aware of the person continuing this behaviour or know something else, I would just look at counselling. Prosecution is unlikely unless they admit it or there or other victims, so I would save myself further trauma.