Reporting a historical crime

[GeorgiePeachie]

Does anyone know anything about some of these points.

the perpetrator was 16 at the time victim 13. Would they be tried as an adult now? (Now Mid 20s.)
is it possible to bring charges WITHOUT sending the perpetrator to jail (Although he did break the law/maybe two.)

I think the police will also tell you your options and should be really helpful.

Yes rape crisis is a good idea, or your local sexual assault referral centre if you have one, if you have concerns about going straight to the police for any reason

That is essentially the catch 22 we are at.

If I want more advice on the legal route we are starting a process we cant stop.

If I can get a written or verbal confession (Which I will record, starting to record all conversations with relevant parties) then that will do.

It's all very messy. But the silence is continuing to protect him from embarrassment and shame which is what the victim has endured for 13 years and that needs to stop.

What you need here is an ISVA - an independent sexual violence advocate. You'll find one either through your local sexual assault referral centre or through Rape Crisis. They will be able to talk through the legal process and provide a copy of Report to Court, the little handbook which does the same, and answer any questions you might have. It's not the same as going to the police so you're not starting anything you can't stop, and nothing will happen on the legal front unless the victim decides she wants to make a proper police report.

This link will take you to the Rape Crisis map to find your local centre, and this one is where you can search for your local sexual assault referral centre.

IME the police/CPS checked at each stage if I still wanted to continue (pre any contact with "the suspect" (i.e. arrest or invited for interview depending how they play it - interview in my case), pre police referral to CPS, after CPS deciding they could prosecute) - at any stage I could have decided not to continue, there was no pressure.