To report historic sexual assault?

[HasAnybodySeenMyTambourine]

Posting here for traffic, sorry.

In 2007 I was molested by a man at a festival. I'd just turned 16 that week and he was 35. It was in a very public place and I just froze up. I know the exact date and time it happened. There were witnesses but I don't know how I'd get hold of them now.

I have a feeling this wasn't his first or last offence either.

I recently saw a video of this man online and it made me feel so sick and angry. I'd never thought of reporting him before, but am thinking about doing it now. I know that it will come to nothing, but maybe it would add to a picture of a pattern of offending.

From his social media I can see that he's now married, which makes me feel sorry for his wife. He also suffers from depression. He recently posted about how people are "making up hurtful lies" about him. Which makes me wonder.

Would you report it? Or just let it go?

I am so sorry this happened to you. In answer to your question. Report report report. But. Be warned that police may not be able to press charges, etc. Or maybe he has a history of this behaviour, and all it needs is someone to come forward. In that case, if it gets to court, prepare yourself for a gruelling and exhausting experience. My perp got a 10 year sentence many years ago at the Old Bailey. I wish you well and strength. And to advise you to talk as often as you can about this experience.

I think it depends on what you’re hoping to get out of reporting him.

Emotional closure for yourself, or some sort of consequence for him? Definitely don’t count on it.

A data point officially registered, but probably not proven, that could potentially help paint a broader picture of his pattern of abuses? Go for it.

Sorry this happened. :-(

I think you have to define what outcome you want from reporting it, whether it be prosecution or simply satisfaction or closure. Or anything in between.
And think about how you'd feel and cope if you didn't achieve what you'd hoped. Would you be happy that you'd tried? Or would you feel worthless because no one listened to you?
It really is such a personal decision that no one else can really know what is right for each individual.
But don't be put off reporting if you feel you can cope with it all. It can be quite empowering and cathartic just to feel you have stood up for your 16yo self.
I'm very sorry that he put you through that. x

Thank you all.

I've only just found out that what happened was technically child abuse, because I was under 18, although over the age of consent. Which shocked me. I'd never thought of it in that way.

I've also done some more digging into his social media. It's only served to conflict me because it's humanised him. He's got severe mental health issues and is constantly posting about his suicidal feelings. The thought of reporting him seems callous now somehow? It would make his life even worse. I'm ok, I have a nice life. It was a long time ago. What would I gain from reporting ir, other than a sense of justice and closure?

But then I feel like I'm letting myself, and other victims, down. I've recently had a daughter and if anything like this ever happened to her I would be furious and wouldn't rest until that bastard had his day in court, and screw his mental health.

i know there's a slim to none chance anything will be done about it by the police. I know how shockingly low conviction rates are. A friend has just gone through a long and gruelling experience of reporting a recent rape with tons of evidence and nothing came of it. My eyes are wide open.

Thank you all for listening to my ramblings. I haven't decided what to do yet but talking about it is really helping.