Historical sexual abuse and reporting it even if the cps wouldn’t have a case

[mycatcontrolsmewith5g]

This doesn’t apply to me but to people I know.

What happens if you report historical sexual abuse knowing that there’s very little evidence (apart from his word against her word) that could be used to secure a conviction ? Will the alleged perpetrator still get interviewed by the police and is it worth people doing this even if no conviction will be possible? I’m thinking in terms of potentially building up patterns of perpetrator abuse as well as it being helpful for the police to bear witness (obviously depending on how the police are)

I do think the alleged perpetrator will be interviewed by police, however, whether or not it would result in a charge would depend on the evidence presented or if the perpetrator admits etc. If someone’s word against another and only one victim reporting, it’s likely to be No Further Actioned. Ofc this is my viewpoint, based on a recent SA where it was NFA.
However, it would be on record, and if someone else in the future experiences abuse, or perhaps is another historical victim, they’re likely to build more of a case.

Could you do a Claires Law request and see if there is already information there to which you could add?

That was also part of the question: if the police would definitely interview. Even if a prosecution would be unlikely it might give pause for thought to the alleged perpetrator and hopefully scare the shit out of them. I guess though there’d maybe be the issue of them targeting the accuser in some way?

I don’t know if this is the right place to ask, but sort of feels relevant. I was raped when I was 17. My parents made me go to the police (I really didn’t want to as knew nothing would happen - I was right, it didn’t and he ended up stalking me). So he was arrested, interviewed etc and ended up released without charge as he agreed with everything I said happened right up to the point of consent. They told me (the police) that they thought he planned the whole thing but couldn’t prove it.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows if that would appear to anyone doing a Clare’s Law request today? I heard rumours after that he’d done the same to 8 other girls (all of us were under 18, he was 29) afterwards but I don’t know if any reported it. So I wondered if my report at least might show up for someone else.

It wouldn't be "definite". The victim would have to do video interviews to go through it all in exacting, graphic detail. The victim would also have to give consent for the police to access their medical records and other personal data.

Then the police would sit in judgment and decide whether to interview the alleged perpetrator or discontinue at that stage.

If the police do interview the alleged perpetrator then the police would tell them who had accused them.

Some police forces and some officers treat victims well. Some definitely do not. In all cases the process isn't designed to be healing or restorative for the victim.

Even victims who saw their perpetrator convicted often say that they wish they had never reported because the process was so traumatic and damaging.

Having experienced it myself, I'd advise extreme caution and to explore psychological support instead. My experience of reporting broke me, seriously messed up my life, and caused years of harm.

Thanks this is really really helpful to know.

It would really depend on the judgements made by those dealing with the request.

"The ‘right to know’ means that if police checks show that your current or ex-partner has a history of abusive behaviour, they may proactively share that information with you because they believe you are at future risk.

Clare’s Law disclosures have to be considered ‘lawful’, ‘proportionate’ and ‘necessary’

This means that police must first decide whether it is appropriate to disclose your partner’s confidential records as part of your DVDS application. If there is enough to suggest that you may be at risk, then the police will make a collective decision on what information to disclose to you."

clares-law.com/what-is-clares-law/

And I’m really sorry you had this experience @dragonexecutive thanks again for your reply x