CPS won't prosecute my rape because..

[ahundredacre]

I am not traumatised enough.

I have just got an email from my solicitor with the response from my victims right to review appeal. This was the key line. I haven't read the attached CPS letter yet because I'm on public transport trying not to cry. Apparently in text messages after the event I do not sound traumatised enough.

No advice- but - how horrible for you. Huge sympathy for you and rage that you are having to go through this.

That's awful and shit OP. It's not necessarily a personal judgement on you though, it's a reflection that they know how it would play to a rape-myth influenced jury. It's bollocks and I'm not trying to excuse it. I'm so sorry

This is awful. How can you "sound traumatised" in a text message?? I think you need to get another opinion and pursue your case.

This is exactly the reason why so many rape survivors don't bother even trying to get justice. Be strong and continue.

venus has hit the nail on the head.

They are supposed to be making a decision based on a theoretical jury wholly unaffected by rape myths. That's their guideline. I feel so powerless. Maybe we should put out a memo to all women, that in the case of rape they need to put on a display of being traumatised instead of pretending to be fine and hold it all together. :(

(Thank you for the support)

Sorry I just reread and wondered if that came across as sarcastic - it wasn't I just forgot to say it before.

That is horrendous. And bitterly ironic, so soon after Jill Saward's death.

I am so sorry. Can you bear to seek a review? And to take it to your MP if they're any good?

That's fucking horrible.

I'm so sorry

Many many hugs. And tea and also wine if it helps.

They wouldn't prosecute mine because I might not have said no enough, that telling him to stop wasn't enough and I wasn't convincing enough that I said no.

They interviewed me in a freezing room, didn't offer me a drink, were patronising and mocking. And came to my house to tell me the above news.

I believe you. I'm sorry this happened to you.

I don't think you came across as sarcastic at all. if you can take it further you may want to look at your options to do this, but I can fully understand if you don't want to. Only you can decide this.

FFS. I'm so sorry ahundredacre

That's so horrible FuriousOwl

I'm really shocked, and really sorry.

ahundredacre that really is shocking. I'm so sorry I wish there was more I could say or do to help.

That's fucking horrible. Is there anything you can do? Not that you should have to. Is it the final word? I just can't believe this shit can happen.

So sorry OP.

Fucking outrageous.

I'm so sorry, OP. What a crappy country we live in sometimes.

How much longer is the system going to let rapists rape with no consequences?

It's a text message. That's often why people use texts, because it's easy to throw words down and mask how you're really feeling.

I didn't realise there was a specific response to been raped which determined whether it was a crime or not ( that was sarcasm)

I would be furious if I was you.

I never even reported mine, because I thought I'd be treated much like Owl was. No wonder so many go unreported. Even if they believe you they choose not to prosecute. It makes me sick. for Owl and ahundredacre. It's a fucking outrage.

OMG, speechless. Surely they prosecute on the legal definition of rape. Rape is rape. People deal with things in different ways. This is like something out the 18th Century. Big hugs, I am horrified.

for you, ahundredacre, and for owl.

It is so fucking shit. I remember a friend's rape being "no-crimed" back in the 1980s simply because they thought she wouldn't have the mental strength to stand up to cross examination - I really hoped we'd moved on from there some time in the last 30 odd years, but no.

I am so sorry Can you bear to challenge this? Is it even possible?

OP I'm wondering if the CPS will examine their position if they had a bit of publicity about this.

I don't accept that rape is okay as long as the victim is the stoic type. It stinks.

Sorry to hear this Hundredacre
The system is failing you, it isn't you or your reaction.

Outrageous and horrible and the reason why more women don't come forward.

I'm so sorry, OP.

Can you go 'public' without using your identity? I would hold the CPS office's feet to the fire on it if that was an option and I was up to it.