Is it worth the emotional trauma to file rape charges against someone?
February 202010
Or is it better to just go to therapy and put it behind me? Anyone with experience or thoughts on this?? From a victim’s standpoint to therapist to attorney or any party in between who can provide an opinion on what the best course of action would be.
A friend and I were raped around the same time ( by different people). She filed charges and I did not. I was so proud of her strength for filing charges because she was able to send him to jail and prevent him from possibly reoffending or at least having to notify everyone of his past. Because most sexual offenders do reoffend I wish now that I would have filed charges. Going through her trial with her was difficult but she was able to come to terms with what happened to her through the trial, if just a bit. Definatly therapy either way.
February 20th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
First and foremost,I am sorry this has happened to you!! I was raped three years ago and did not press charges. I wish I would have now that I look back. I hope you would press charges because he could hurt someone else. I would also suggest therapy to teach you how to cope w/ the mental anguish you struggle with. I hope everything works out for you. Good luck and God bless.
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February 20th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Yes, I think it’s best to file rape charges. What if the person then goes on and rapes another person? You want to put this person away. But you should also get therapy to help with the trauma.
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February 20th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I have no experience in this, but I think you should see a therapist about it. Ask your therapist if it is a good idea to press charges. Sorry if this is no help to you. I hope you can get better answers
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February 20th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
The question you might try asking yourself is, "Is it worth the emotional trauma to let him/her get away with it and not have that closure?"
Though your thoughts are to move on with your life (good for you), will you be able to continue in good conscience knowing that the matter is unresolved and that they are free to continue doing this to other people?
Whatever the case, good luck!
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February 20th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Its worth putting the person behind bars so that he/she wont hurt another human, so in that sense yes. I think you should prepare yourself to live through the trauma again and testify in court.
Then again, if this happened like 5yrs ago then just about all evidence has deteriorated and the chances of the perpetrator being locked up is small.
It also depends on where the crime occurred. Thats important because here in Los Angeles, due to the budget cuts and under staffing, the rape kits are piling up; there are still backlogs unopened of rape kits committed like 3-4 years ago!
Take all these into consideration…
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Volunteer at the Los Angeles Police Department
February 20th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
The only person that can decide is you. Basically, the question you need to ask yourself is why would you want to pursue charges? Is it for revenge? Is it to protect other’s from being harmed by him? Is it to prove that you did not consent? Is it to protect your family’s honour?
All of these questions are valid and there are indeed many more to answer. Personally, for me, if I were the victim, the only reason I would follow through with charges would be to protect other’s from him doing this to them. I have a very strong sense of "doing the right thing" but that would be the right thing for ME and not necessarily for others. But, that is just me. Some people get some vindication necessary for their healing. It just all depends on the victim and what is best for them–IMO.
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Clinical Social Worker, MSW, RSW.
February 20th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
A friend and I were raped around the same time ( by different people). She filed charges and I did not. I was so proud of her strength for filing charges because she was able to send him to jail and prevent him from possibly reoffending or at least having to notify everyone of his past. Because most sexual offenders do reoffend I wish now that I would have filed charges. Going through her trial with her was difficult but she was able to come to terms with what happened to her through the trial, if just a bit. Definatly therapy either way.
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