Reporting rape when not wanting to go down prosecution route

[Adeleley]

Friend wants to report rape by exH that took place 2yrs ago. definitely doesn't want to go down prosecution route but wants to inform police.
Shes been told by support service to go to police station, tell the civvy on the desk what its about and ask to see a female officer. Has anyone done this? Can an appointment be made? Is tghis really the process?

@Changeymcchangerson It should'nt be for the police to decide anything, but I can tell you for a fact that's what's happening sometimes, at least in the West Midlands area, at the moment/in very recent times. I know that for reality because it happened to me. Didn't even bother to interview a violent rapist.

IDK when you worked for that unit, I imagine it isn't entirely recently, or maybe it varies from region to region. Yes, it mightn't have happened 10 years ago or even more recently that that maybe, but it is happening now.

It's how they're dealing with the number of cases women are bringing forward, and the unlikeliness of a successful prosecution in most cases.

I can understand why she wants to report it but not prosecute.
I am in that same predicament.
I know for a fact he has done it before due to conversations of him being "stay away"
I dont mind putting my story forward to help someone else but I dont want to be the first.
I know it's my word against his, I know my past will work against me so I dont bother.
Agree with a pp about reporting online, at least his name is in the system.
Other than that I dont know what to suggest

@Interestedwoman

I left 18 months ago and was there for 7 years. I have seen the changes first hand, but our general rules never went awry.

I am truly sorry that was your experience and I'm shocked it happened. Not all coppers across the country are like that.

I've managed to secure many prosecutions, and have even worked with my victims to go to the court of appeal to challenge lenient sentences.

I'm proud of myself and my colleagues and I hate that some bad apples spoil people's viewpoints.

Also, in terms of there being a "trace" - there will be a crime report, viewable and searchable by everyone in that police force but nowhere else. If the suspect is arrested, that will be entered on the police national computer, viewable by every service in the country.

Anyway, I'm going to bow out because I'm aware I'm derailing OP's thread.

She absolutely has the right to have it logged with no further action. I have done this.

There's so much shit advice at the start of this thread so I haven't read it all

She can anonymous report to a SARC (sexual assault referral centre)
They will inform the police who can hold the information on the perpetrators record.
If they have other reports, they may contact the SARC who will then ask you if you want to speak to the police. You do not have to contact them if you don't want to.

This anonymous reporting is so helpful to build up a picture of perps if they commit further crimes or have past crimes

Please encourage your friend to report, it can help with recovery

I took my rapist to court. It was my decision to give evidence. The CPS made the decision to prosecute based on the evidence they had.

The police did in no way ‘invade’ my life. They didn’t have access to my medical records or anything personal I didn’t want them to see. This is total misinformation and I think why so few people report rape in the first instance.

One of the reasons I chose to peruse prosecution was because I hoped that at least the rape would be on his record if he did it again. Unfortunately the perpetrator was found not guilty, which was what I had expected based on rape prosecution stats. This then meant if he was taken to court again for a similar offence, the previous court case would not be able to be used in evidence which I found frustrating.

The police were absolutely fantastic. Always available to discuss my case with me the progress. It was clear that they were very well trained and sensitive to my case. I had a male police officer follow my case for nearly 3 years. He came to court with me and phoned me whenever I needed him. I honestly couldn’t have expected any more.
Even if your friend wants to report it to gain specialist services it might be worth it.

Despite the trauma of going to court, it was something I needed to do to try to move forward.

Lots of love to you all. It’s honestly the worst situation but it does get better.

But surely that would just be recorded as an unsubstantiated allegation ?. .