Has anyone reported historic sexual assault

[Currentlywatchingshrek]

NC and posting here for traffic

As the title suggests, I was wondering if anyone reported a sexual assault from years ago and if so did it help? Did it get taken seriously?

I was sexually assaulted approx 9 years ago by someone I went to school with. I was 17 at the time.

I thought I had dealt with it but in reality I've just pushed it down and forgotten about it until recently and now I keep thinking about it and it is starting to really impact my life.

I'm considering reporting it to the police but I don't know if that would give me a feeling of resolution that I'm looking for. I guess I'm worried that as it's been so long there will be no evidence / people who witnessed some of the lead up / aftermath will have long forgotten and I'll look stupid brining it up after so long.

Does anyone who has been through this have any advise / insight?

I’m so sorry this happened to you, I can’t speak from personal experience but you should report it if you feel it would help you

It would probably also be a good idea to find some therapy if you can

Not quite the same but my ex (violent horrible man) told me he raped someone in his care, it was investigated but no evidence. He told me he'd kill me if I told anyone. Years later I told my counselor I wanted to tell the police and she said there is no point bringing it up. I still feel awful to this day.

I think you should report it otherwise it will always be at the back of your mind.

Yes I did. It was taken extremely seriously and he was arrested and the investigation is ongoing.

I reported a vile man to crimestoppers anonymously as I know there's more people involved which made me feel a bit better, but I don't want to deal with it myself.

The approach will be different where you live, so my strong advice is to speak with someone from Rape Crisis Center. They will give you direction, recommendation, etc.

Personally, I did (in Ireland). Looking back many years later I regretted not reporting. I did not want report to at the time. As I expected nothing has happened (other than a statistics update!), but I felt better that I had done it.

Yes. Sadly it wasn't taken seriously at all and the police told me I needed to find other victims before they would investigate

Yes, I have. The police investigated and it went to court. The paedophile/rapist was sentenced to 24 years reduced to 23 years on appeal. I was expecting him to receive 10/12 years. There were 14 charges made against him and he was found guilty of 13 with the judge directing the jury to find him not guilty on the 14th. I hope he dies in prison.

I felt supported from the minute I phoned the police, from the police team who investigated, the court staff, Victim Support and a support service provided by a local women's charity.

There was no DNA evidence after all that time but I was able to give calm, comprehensive and complete statements about what had happened which I think really helped the case. Also, my friends at the time were called to give evidence, my GP notes were scrutinised, my mobile phone was confiscated (the defence used totally unrelated texts from it to try and make me look unreliable). It was a detailed investigation, and rightly so.

It was a hard process but I would still encourage anyone who feels ready to report it.
I had several nervous breakdowns over a 10 year span before I reported it but I haven't had one since (a few wobbles, but keeping strong) and I really think it's because I'm not keeping the shame and secret anymore.

Best of luck to anyone who feels strong enough to report it, I hope you get the result you want.

I reported my rape. It wasn't taken seriously and nothing was done.

The police answered questions and recorded their own answers when I was too distressed and didn't answer quickly enough for them. They blamed me and guilt tripped me and justified his attack. The reporting was horrific for me and had a huge impact on me mentally.

I have a text confession so there is no doubt either.