Can anyone talk me through the implications of giving a statement the the police please?

[Allaboutthebass]

I've NC for this as worried about outing myself. I have been contacted by the police and asked to give a statement. I didn't approach them but they told me my name came up in their investigation. It's in relation to a well known figure, operation yew tree type enquiry. My experiences with this person were almost 30 years ago and I was fine with what happened at the time and still basically am. This person is due to stand trial soon and they have asked me to give at statement. I'm really conflicted about what to do. The thought of court terrifies me, police can't say if I would be needed or not as that rests with cps. I've made clear I have no personal axe to grind although I was underage at time. I've discussed with some RL friends and they have been mostly supportive although one has been quite nasty and that has weakened my resolve as I had decided to go ahead and give a statement. Just really wanted some hand holding and reassurance of what might happen next. TIA

Well what he did was wrong and illegal
if you were underage, all you have to do is state what factually happened to you.

I understand that right now you feel
Ok about what happened, just leave the door open that you might not always feel that way

It sounds like you don't want to give evidence so don't. It's ahuge undertaking - day off work, no compensation for disruption and time, public criticism and newspaper reports. You get nothing out of it and given you were not even too bothered about whatever happened at the time then I just would steer well clear.

I'm going to be completely honest with you here and say that my experience of giving a statement and being a witness was terrible

You will give a statement at the police station usually. It'll be typed up and you'll check it for errors then sign it.

But if they want you to appear at court:

The CPS will contact you with a court date

I went to Liverpool Crown Court, I spent 4 days sat in a room because the trial kept getting put back each day. The staff, who are voluntary, were fantastic though.

Being in the court room I gave my version of events but then was cross examined by the defence and was cross examined by the defence. They were only doing their job but were quite nasty to me. Made me feel like a fool.

But, giving a statement is incredibly brave and it's one of the things our justice system relies on, people like you who will stand up and give a statement to give information relating to a crime. Speaking up is so important.

If you don't perceive what happened to you as a criminal act, then I'm not sure why you would want to play a part in the investigation or trial. I'm sure that someone could give some good reasons, but it doesn't seem particularly worth it to me.

Thanks for your comments. I have spoken to the police again and they have reassured me on some of my concerns. I am struggling with that pico and feeling I need to support the women who have complained and potentially may not be believed

None of this is your responsibility. You were not responsible for the defendant's actions towards you or anyone else. You are not responsible for the victim's of the defendant. Make your decision about you, how you will cope.

If you provide a statement to the police it will only be a statement of the facts as you understand them to be. You shouldn't be drawn on opinions about anyone else's motivations, thoughts or feelings, or about what happened at a different time and place.

You can say that you are not willing to attend court and give evidence in your statement. It won't stop the court demanding that you attend but it will indicate your feelings to the defence and prosecution.

The case will be run by the CPS and not the police.

Giving evidence in court is horrible. Barristers can and will be rude, sarcastic, superior and will twist your words. (E.g. B 'I put it to you that you said "Bring it on!"'. Reply "I'm not sure." B "So, you could have said "Bring it on"?'. Reply 'Possibly, I can't remember.'. B 'So you are telling the court that you could have said "Bring it on" so when the defendant did just that he was being encouraged by you.')

Yes they do twist. I was accused of some master plan of setting up a series of events to get someone into trouble oh and also having an affair with the witness who backed up my version of events: I'd never seen the person before in my life.

I know they have to do their job but it was horrible.