Sexual abuse

[MuffinToptheMule]

I have been reading the thread about the news story of the teenage dad who looks as if he is 8. Some of the posts have gotten on to the topic of legal blame.

I was sexually abused when I was about 8/9. My abuser was a 13 year old boy. Morally I know what he did was wrong, but what about legally? I've spent years reading different laws only to be confused.

Sorry, I don't know the law on that either really but I do know that even if what he did could not be prosecuted it still feels just as bad for you.

any law experts out there?

Hiya there Criminal Responsibility is from 10years old in Britian although Scotland is or was 8 years old, the age was changed to 10 in England and Wales since the Venables case and the other lad who murdered Jameie Bulger.
However abuse is a sensitive area and the abuser being a minor can be prosecuted from 10 years however there would be lots of investigation and therapeutic services as they could also have been a victim of abuse although this does not in anyway excuse anyones behaviour.

Are you thinking of pressing charges muffin,

Think back to you were 13 you still know right from wrong and that boy was in the wrong I'm sure there is some law?

How awful for you does anyone else know about this?

Not thinking about pressing charges. I know that a case like mine would never make it to court. A few people know about it. I first told someone (my dp) about a year and a half ago.

Muffin thats awful, to think someone has done that to you and theyre going to get away with it, do you still know this person?

Been away from the internet for the weekend, so only just replying now. I don't know the person anymore because they moved away and then I moved away from home to come to uni. I have found him on facebook though and know that he has 2 step children.

It's very worrying that he has step children

Muffin - I was in the same situation. 13/14 year old boy was my brother. I told a couple of people at uni and felt crap when they said it was not the same as "normal" sexual abuse as he was still a child. I think I have always carried that thought with me and it has made me feel like I was making a fuss about nothing. Have shoved memories so far into one corner, but I know they'll pop out at some point.

Oh no Schilke, you shouldn't feel you aren't allowed to feel the way you do just because he was under the age of 18 (or whatever age you have to be to be a 'criminal'). Like I posted before, it will still feel just as bad for you!