To feel really let down by Police & CPS

[Charliefarlie1192]

A few weeks ago I was attacked by my ex partner. He broke in, locked all the doors and drew the curtains and beat me up. I escaped by distracting him and jumping out of the window, he followed me and continued the attack in the street. 3 seperate addresses called the police (neighbours watching from windows) I was black and blue.

I gave a statement, took photos and waited.......3 weeks later I am still waiting only to call and be told that he had been arrested and released without charge due to lack of evidence.

I am utterly appalled, shocked and frightened that this was allowed to happen to me without him even being brought to charge, does he have to murder me next time to get the police to pay attention?

Lack of evidence with at least three witnesses and obvious bodily harm?

Are you in the UK?

That's ridiculous! Can't you complain?

You need to go to the station and get it sorted, they should have taken statements and pictures and keep you informed of developements. Hopefully there won't be a next time but if there is call police and say he is armed, then they have to respond straight away and take it further. I really hope you are ok and safetly away from him.

I agree go to the station and check they took witness statements. Did they not come to your home to look at how he got in etc?

I have left my job, my home, moved town and changed my sons school in sheer fear.

No body even looked at my pictures, I am going to take them to the station on monday and demand the case be re-opened

My neighbours didnt give statements apparently, or they werent detailed enough blah blah

I am at that. Can you contact WA for advice? Were you given a contact at the police DV unit? If so contact them, if not ask to speak to someone from there.

yeah the police at the time it happened saw the state of my house (trashed) the state of me and the criminal damage he caused, I am baffled as to why he has been released, I really thought he would be being charged - I mean, isnt even the locking me in part a crime in itself?

That's disgusting, I really hope you are ok.

I once got punched by a stranger in the street, my attack was nowhere near as traumatic and damaging as yours but it still shook me up and the police were no help whatsoever. Eventually made an arrest after I refused to let it drop (they must have known the woman responsible would not be charged) and CPS returned a "No further action" decision. If I went around punching people I'm sure I wouldn't get away with it!

Fucking hell. I have no practical suggestions, but hopefully those with more knowledge will come along with some.

Have you seen a solicitor?

You poor thing!
Could you seek legal advice to see what can be done?
I want to destory the man on your behalf.

Yes, locking someone in is a crime. I know someone who locked someone in his house for a weekend and went to prison for a couple of years for it!

You poor thing. Go back to the police station, escalate it, mention the police complaints commission and threaten to write to your MP.

I am no legal expert but I would say three witnesses and photographs of injuries is certainly enough not to just be "case dismissed". I hope you are OK. I do soemtimes wonder how far an assailant is supposed to go until they will press charges and it makes me shudder.

Assuming you are in the UK

As well as women's aid, they'll help you ensure that the police press charges.

Contact the SS department in the town you have moved to and ask for help in ensuring this man is kept the hell away from you and yours. SS have the power to ensure school records etc are kept confidential to make it harder for him to track you down, and they can fit an emergency alarm to your new home etc. I know peeps like to slate em, BUT they can be really helpful in situations like this, not least cos a "professional" chasing the polce for case updates can "encourage" the police to do their fooking job!

I am in the UK, you dont have to believe me but I certainly would not make that up

bochead SS have already been out to me, they pushed the school transfer through as urgent for me.

Thats what gets to me, the police referred us to SS as obviously they were concerned about my sons welfare, but dont see fitt to charge him

Lumpy- I believe it. I believe the authorities which are there to protect us can let us down in unimaginable ways.

I reported sexual abuse of a young relative to SS. The file sat in an in tray for 3 months with no action. It is now going to trial after a separate chain of events which revealed the truth no thanks to SS. Did I get an apology from SS? Nope. Not even a reply. I believe authorities can be beyond inefficient.

I agree with YouOldSlag.
If you don't believe a thread LumpyLatimer you don't have comment though. No point upseting an OP on a very horrible subject for no reason if a thread's actually true.

thanks lumpymash thats what I wanted to say, I dont mind people not believing me but I dont really see the point in posting a response at all in this case

As far as I am aware this is a big deal in the police these days so definitely write to or speak to your MP, more should have been done. Even if they can't prosecute they should be keeping you informed etc, getting them some bad publicity will focus minds. Can you find out who dealt with your case, name them and you should get more action.

Bloody hell, I'm so sorry that this has happened to you Charlie, and so angry on your behalf.

Something similar (although not as severe as the horrific assault on you) happened to me last year so I can well believe that the police have let you down.

I agree with the advice to call Women's Aid (or you could try Rights of Women) for specialist legal advice and support.

Seek advice from www.womensaid.org and www.rightsofwomen.org.uk

Sadly, the way the police have mishandled your case is not uncommon.

Your MP will no doubt hold regular surgery sessions and should be appraised of your experience, but in the first instance I would suggest you make a formal complaint to the regional police authority that have failed to fulfil the expectations that are no doubt raised by it's whistles & bells website that proclaims that it takes domestic violence 'seriously'.

Did you post before on this matter? Given the number of calls that were made to the police and the witnesses to the violence you suffered, I hoped that your abuser would receive more than the usual gentle slap on the wrist for his offences.

Please feel free to pm me if you need any help with registering complaints against the police and any other agencies that have failed to assist you.

Thanks, yeah I posted about it after it had happened when the police were still looking for him

Write to your MP and then Chief Crown Prosecutor has an obligation to look into your case. Also phone or write to the Chief Crown Prosecutor and keep copies of everything. Do not be fobbed off. You should have received a Victim Information letter to explain why this guy wasn't prosecuted - demand to know why this didn't happen.

Kick up a stink. The CPS is rife with apathy and they are betting on you going away quietly. Don't.

Best of luck OP. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

I find it absolutely incredible that this could happen in 2012 in the UK. Fortunately, there are many avenues for you go down - such as those mentioned above, and phoning the Police again and asking for the Domestic Abuse Unit to make investigating this CPS mistake (for it is a mistake) a priority for follow-up, and phoning the Police Standards Department to tell them also about this mistake in case the CPS did not receive the full file from the Police.

A local women's advocate, councillor or MP would help you, too.

I hope this story does not put anyone else off reporting abuse to the Police. The Police Domestic Abuse Unit where I live are excellent.