Sexual abuse

[ClaireG73]

I have recently reported a historic sexual abuse to the police. For over 34 years I have kept this buried but my daughter persuaded me to inform the police on which I did. I had a video interview which was the most hardest thing I've had to do in my life as I have never told a soul what happened. They found the perpetrator & he admitted what happened but did this through a solicitor which angered me a little as he didn't even have the respect to speak up himself. He had to do it through someone else.
The officer then said they have to do their report & would be in touch with me. I didn't hear anything from the police for quite a while so I decide to go to the police station to find out if they have any news. I was told the officer investigating was off ill but once back they would get in touch with me.
Last week the officer called me & said they are not taking it any further. I believe there reason was because it was aged.
I was devastated. I was at work & had to hold it together. I'm now angry. I wasn't believed & I wished that I never told the police & took this to the grave with me. The officer investing said I can appeal against their decision on which I am going to do. I feel like I've been kept in the dark so I have an appointment on Wednesday 10th Oct to find out why & to answer my questions that I have spinning around in my head. I'm scared that the appeal won't go my way & I don't know what to do. I wished now I never said a word

When you say admitted it through a solicitor what do you mean? A prepared statement? Did he just make admissions to presence or did he actually accept that a sexual assault (or indecent assault I assume if a long time ago, as it would fall under old legislation so you might hear them refer to that) took place? If the latter it's hard to understand why they would take no action whatsoever.

I hope the appointment gives you some answers.

The police said it was a prepared statement through a solicitor. The police contacted the perpetrator & then arranged an appointment for him to go to the police station. He then took a solicitor with them & the solicitor read out a statement stating the facts in what happened. The police haven't told me much so I'm hoping they'll answer my questions next week.

For what it's worth, I think you made the right decision.
I hope you do get answers to your questions from the police. In the event that you don't, would you consider a private prosecution?
You have strength and courage, and the support of your daughter

When you were interviewed was it with the Amberstone team or just normal police? I only ask because I am in the predicament of uncovering memories via PTSD treatment and have to make a decision whether to report or not.... my options all included this team who are the dedicated sexual crime dept.

I was interviewed by the police that deals with sexual abuse crimes. The police never said if they were from the Amberstone team. I feel so let down by the police. I somehow wished I kept this to myself. I will be taking it further though as this person thinks he's got away with it. I was only ten years old at the time. Your situation maybe different & you may get a result. I truly hope you do but please report it & be strong xx

I think Amberstone must be a regional thing as I've never heard of that. I'm so sorry OP - take this time to write down all your thoughts and questions for the appointment and think about how you will feel if any appeal is successful/unsuccessful. I've worked in criminal law for 10 years and have only ever seen one case which was successfully appealed (though I can't say how many were appealed overall) so I think you would need to brace yourself for that. All the best 💐

I suspect that the police did believe you. Find out if the cps are refusing to take the case or whether it is the police who have made the decision. I suspect that the cps have made the decision. They definitely will have believed you, but the prosecution of a case is more complicated & not just a police decision.
I still think that whatever the decision, you have done the right thing, your actions may encourage other survivors to step forward. The police also have a database that this person will be on now ( or should be - something else you can check on). I doubt that you wete the only person they did this to.
You are right yo be angry but wait until you find out all if the facts before you plan your next move.

You have the right to challenge this. I recommend you call this number for advice. It is run by rape crisis. If you need support please check out here

warriorwoman.blog/useful-resources/

This is our website. Our abuser was 72 and still sentenced to 16 years in prison