What would the police do if I called them and reported a rape against the victim’s will?
March 42010
Not much police can do if the victim doesn’t want it reported.
More importantly I urge you not to report it against their will. Being raped is a situation where someone has had control of their life taken away from them, and as someone who cares about them the best thing you can do is help them get that control back, and that means letting them make their own choices. Even if you don’t agree with what they choose. Reporting a rape can be extremely traumatizing for someone, as they’ll have to tell every detail of their experience several times to various strangers. The best thing you can do is provide them information on every resource available to them, and let them know you’ll support ANY decision they make. Even pressuring them do make a choice or giving your opinion on what you think they should do will have negative consequences in the long run.
I’ve even seen a case where a rapist called and reported his own rapes of two different women. They were badgered by the police, and it was his way of sending his victims through another level of hell by making them feel pressured to talk about it and making them think they had made a mistake in the way they handled things.
A good resource for how to help someone is your local Rape Crisis Center, I believe all have a 24-hour hotline. You can call and ask for information on how to support someone else, you don’t need to be the victim. Find yours at http://centers.rainn.org/. It would also be good to provide the victim with this contact information, they can get free counseling or support.
March 4th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
well first of all, rape is against the victims will.. its not two different things. and second of all, they would get in touch with the victim and get details. then depending on the length of time since the incident they would probably take the victim to the hospital to have a rape kit done.. which usually gives them the information they need on the suspect and the victim. then, they go to question the suspect… and hopefully catch that suspect and put them in jail… good luck.
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March 4th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
I would guess the victim is a friend or relative? The police will need to speak to the victim, that won’t be avoidable. Keep that in mind before you make the call. The victim will be asked to disclose the details of the case and depending how recently the attack was they may request a medical exam ie rape kit. If there are visible injuries they will be photographed.
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March 5th, 2010 at 12:16 am
They may ask you to get the victim to come forward. Generally the polcie can’t charge rape without a victim.
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March 5th, 2010 at 12:48 am
This would get pretty dicey. The police need the victim’s account of what happened in order to press charges….so it would be better to convince the victim to do her own calling…and it is important to do it as soon as possible after the incident.
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March 5th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Not much police can do if the victim doesn’t want it reported.
More importantly I urge you not to report it against their will. Being raped is a situation where someone has had control of their life taken away from them, and as someone who cares about them the best thing you can do is help them get that control back, and that means letting them make their own choices. Even if you don’t agree with what they choose. Reporting a rape can be extremely traumatizing for someone, as they’ll have to tell every detail of their experience several times to various strangers. The best thing you can do is provide them information on every resource available to them, and let them know you’ll support ANY decision they make. Even pressuring them do make a choice or giving your opinion on what you think they should do will have negative consequences in the long run.
I’ve even seen a case where a rapist called and reported his own rapes of two different women. They were badgered by the police, and it was his way of sending his victims through another level of hell by making them feel pressured to talk about it and making them think they had made a mistake in the way they handled things.
A good resource for how to help someone is your local Rape Crisis Center, I believe all have a 24-hour hotline. You can call and ask for information on how to support someone else, you don’t need to be the victim. Find yours at http://centers.rainn.org/. It would also be good to provide the victim with this contact information, they can get free counseling or support.
References :
I’m a state certified Rape Crisis Counselor in Illinois.