If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨
Options
Sexual Assault Trial.
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I'm caught up in a horrible case and trial at the moment over something that recently happened to me. I can't really post details because it's still going on but I feel awful 
A policeman saw the whole thing happening so I think I've got a pretty good case. But if the guy gets let off then it'll be bad because it'll mean that everyone thinks I'm lying, but if he gets convicted then I'm going to be ruining his life. I almost wish I'd never agreed to make a statement because having to hash over the details again and again is stressing me out so much
There's no advice you can really give me I don't think, just wanted a bit of support.
A policeman saw the whole thing happening so I think I've got a pretty good case. But if the guy gets let off then it'll be bad because it'll mean that everyone thinks I'm lying, but if he gets convicted then I'm going to be ruining his life. I almost wish I'd never agreed to make a statement because having to hash over the details again and again is stressing me out so much
There's no advice you can really give me I don't think, just wanted a bit of support.
0
Comments
Handily the whole thing won't swing on one persons comments, lawyers are too good for that. Just answer the questions you're asked. You can't change the facts - which is all that's being assessed. If he gets off, then it doesn't make you a liar, it just means that can't reach the " beyond All reasonable doubt" requirement.
This. *hug*'s Grace
I can't tell if this is going on in France or England?
In the UK, Rape Crisis and Victim Support are really good. I guess you can't really access their helplines if you're not in the UK at the mo but you can email Victim Support.
Within France, Contre le viol have a free helpline during the day / evening.
At the hearing in front of the magistrate they asked me if I was wearing a 'sexy dress that could provoke weaknesses in certain men.'
Thank you for the links Piccolo. Weirdly I'm not that bothered about the incident itself, it's really all the police and legal stuff that came after that's upsetting me. They were quite pushy when I was asked if I wanted to press charges. It must be almost over now so I'm not going to drop it, because then all this shit will have been for nothing.
xx
I'm sure the helpline would also be cluedup on that kinda stuff.
SOS Viol - la loi
I'm sure the helpline would also be cluedup on that kinda stuff.
SOS Viol - la loi
Sorry I can't find anything more detailed; I think I'm just not very good at coming up with search terms!
This. It's so wrong.
Big hugs Grace *hug* x
Rawr, rant over.
As is ever the case for crimes that don't leave quality forensic evidence (by which I mean the good old door breaking robberies with finger prints and blood samples everywhere) it gets into silly territory. The justice systems in the Western world all pretty much hang on 'beyond reasonable doubt' as a test. If the evidence can't meet that then things come unstuck. Obviously the police thought you had a good chance at getting it otherwise would never have persued the court case. It must be really hard, but try and take that as a bit of reassurance that you are definitely believed.
Equally - while it's not what you would have wanted, the guy will have been made to suffer in going through the trial process so won't have got off completely.
I was suppose to give evidence as a witness a few years ago, for a case of GBH. In the end I didn't have to, but I remember feeling sick to my stomach thinking about going up in court. The git only got community service because he admitted it. The legal system sucks.
And it doesn't matter what you're wearing, you have the right to wear what you want without worrying about scumbags taking advantage. I mean what if you were at a beach in a bikini when it happened, stupid judge.
I'm a bit of a tomboy, always in trousers, hate low cut tops and I still had my bum pinched by a stranger. -It can happen whatever you wear and is always the other person's fault, not yours.
xx *hug*
Well I don't. I really admire your bravery going through this whole process, it's extremely difficult even when there's a successful conviction. But it's no wonder the conviction rate is so low when what you wear apparently makes a difference.
Try to use some of the support lines people have posted for you, you may find you need them as time goes on.
Have you tried emailing Victim Support? They might be able to offer some counselling or something when you're back in the UK, you've been through a lot and it might help to talk.
I'm drafting an email now, but I don't really know what to put in it.
It unfortunately just means that - in a notoriously difficult to prove area of law - there wasn't enough evidence to build a case on.
Sent them an email, hopefully they'll reply soon. I think just going home will do me the world of good anyway, and it's only three weeks to go now. This city's just making me so sad all the time now, with everything that's happened. I also wrote a big email to the man that was handling my case just getting everything out my system, about how I was so angry and upset about the way they treated me. It was quite a cathartic thing to do but I doubt he'll reply.
Also thanks for the hugs and stuff people