CICA - devastated

[Freedochoc]

Good evening

After my divorce 6 years ago, I started using dating sites. Over the space of 6 months I was sexually assaulted twice. I blamed myself for both incidents as I willingly met up with these men and got in their cars. I didn’t tell anyone until 2 years ago when I spoke to rape crisis. They supported me and I reported both incidents.

I gave the first names (as were told to me by both men) and details of their description.
i informed the police of what they both did for work (or at least what they told me they did). The police did not show me any pictures of anyone they thought it could have been.

Rape crisis informed me I could apply for CIC and I did so. They have told me this week that there is not enough evidence to say that these incidents happened. I am really offended by this. I gave all the info I could to the police and don’t have any police records myself.

They have also said I am beyond the time limit for reporting it to police and applying for CIC despite me providing medical information to show that I was experiencing serious mental health issues at this time.

It was really draining reporting both incidents and I’m really shocked that I got this response from CICA. Should I ask them to review this or is that a complete waste of time?

You could appeal the statutory 2-year time limitation for a claim if you can obtain a psychiatrist’s report stating explicitly that they treated you at the time and believe your mental illness was severe enough that it prevented you from reporting within the specified period. More generic evidence e.g. letters from your GP stating that they have seen you and prescribed antidepressants or referred you for counselling over the years are very unlikely to be sufficient here.

However, it sounds as though you were also unsuccessful because the police have been unable to establish that a crime took place or identify any suspects because you weren’t able to provide enough information. You have the right to make a subject access request and ask for a copy of records the police have about you and your cases, and could potentially make a complaint if you believe the police didn’t do enough to follow up on and investigate your crime reports. Depending on the outcome of that, you may be able to use it to appeal the CICA outcome.

Have you had much / any therapy? There’s no need for you to feel offended or as though you haven’t been believed: the police stating that there wasn’t enough evidence doesn’t mean they’re making a value judgement about you; just that they can’t confidently make a legal statement to the CICA about the crimes you reported as it’s difficult to identify leads without more than a physical description, and a (possibly made up) first name and job title.