I am now 25 and I live in the state of Texas. As a child I lived in the states of Massachusetts and S. Carolina. My brother who is older than me by 7 yrs started abusing me about when I was 7 and he was 14. It continued off and on until I moved out of the house at 18. I am now in therapy and in and out of hospitals for treatment for trauma and abuse and I want to have some closure. More so, I want to make sure he's not doing this to someone else. I don't want to sue him for money or anything. I want to see him behind bars. Do I just walk into a police station here in Texas or do I have to report it in one of the other states?
2006-08-19 15:53:49 · 27 answers · asked by laraeml 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
You will have to go to the police department/s where you lived at the time of the abuse. Or will have to call them, tell them the situation and they can direct you from there.
Be prepared to tell everything, dates (or guesstimates) and instances in detail. I also HIGHLY recommend taking your counselor and or a victim's rights advocate WITH you when and if you go in to press charges. That will help you to not feel so much like you're not believed and everyone is against you. It's not their job to believe or not believe you, but they can seem cold and uncaring. So don't go alone.
Also, write down as many people (names and numbers) as you can think of that may be able to say "yeah, i knew something abusive was happening at the time."
Imagine yourself on the stand in court, being able to answer everything the perpetrators defense attourney will ask you, no matter how rude, cruel and insensitive; and what will you say when they try to discredit you and your story?
My best advice is find a victim's rights advocate and/or an attourney who deals with survivor's and have her coach you on filing charges and ask her to go with you for support.
I wish you the best of luck.
2006-08-19 16:17:01 · answer #1 · answered by Cedar_2006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear that that happened to you! Yes you should report it.
Go to the Texas authorities first to the Sexually abused unit. And then they will tell you exactly what needs to be done and who you should contact. I do believe that charges have to be filed in the state/county that the abuse happened.
I am proud that you are getting the help that you need and want to report this to protect others.
This is a very brave decision that you have made being the fact that it was your brother who did this to you. Stay strong and continue to get the help that you need.
I could sit here and tell you that everything will be OK but I can't.
The one thing that I can tell you is you do what you need to do to try and live a normal life and you are well on your way..
My thoughts and prayers are with you..
2006-08-19 16:06:16 · answer #2 · answered by DeeDee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry you are having to deal with this, but you will survive it and thrive. You will need to contact a District Attorney in the states where the abuse occured. The D.A. is the one that represents and protects the public. This person should take your statement. They will ask where the brother is now, do you know? It would be helpful if you could give as much information as possible that would help them find him and to help your case. Your counselor and the hospitals where you have stayed will need to submit your records to prove your case too. I wish you the best and hope you put this evil person behind bars.
2006-08-19 16:07:08 · answer #3 · answered by MadforMAC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you probably did the right element - the newborn amenities workers have dealt with a large number of abused babies earlier, and they could tell the version between a baby who's were given bruises everywhere reason they have been hit and a baby who's were given bruises from the kinds of falls and injuries that small babies usually get. From what i recognize of this issue, babies (extraordinarily babies who're the right age to stroll) hardly ever get bruises interior the places you've said, so as that on my own (and extraordinarily blaming it on 'a fall', it truly is the #one million maximum worry-loose excuse abusers use) will improve red flags, so that you've been certainly good to call and record the father and mom.
2016-11-05 05:02:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't contact a child welfare agency, they only address issues for kids ages 0-18. Now that you are an adult you need to go to the police in your area. They can contact the police in the area where the incident took place. I worl for a protection agency...they will probably want to interview you and will be asking very detailed questions so that they can add up how many "counts" they will be able to charge the alleged abuser with.
2006-08-19 16:03:15 · answer #5 · answered by kim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe there may be a statute of limitations of 7 years. I know it's like that in some states anyway...so unfortunately the time may have expired. I would go to the police in Texas. They'll be able to answer your questions and tell you where to go from there. Good luck...I'm so sorry this happened to you. :(
2006-08-19 16:02:46 · answer #6 · answered by warmfuzzies37 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try going nto the police station in TX and worst comes to worse they may tell you to go report it in the other states. It never hurts to try. Hopefully all goes well. I had a friend who's brother did something like this to her... Luckily she reported it last year when she broke down for the first time not infront of me. I am sorry for what you've gone through.
2006-08-19 16:00:38 · answer #7 · answered by lana89xx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm really sorry I can't help more, because I don't know. I would *guess* that you would have to go to the originating states. What I would recommend is that you call your local police department here and ask them. I would be willing to bet that the statute of limitations is up on your case, but you might be able to open an investigation to make sure he's not hurting anyone else.
I'm really sorry that happened to you, I really hope you're able to heal from it.
2006-08-19 15:59:57 · answer #8 · answered by Maber 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by going to a police station in Texas. Maybe take your counselor if you feel you need the support. It takes a lot of strength to finally report him and I really respect you for it!
2006-08-19 15:59:37 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe you can have luck with Dreyfus...the child protection agency-they'll respect your anonymity as well-and I hope you'll make a strong recovery from this trauma, remember you are God's perfect child, you are unique and a strong woman inside...you have survived this evil and you are full of potential-yes, you'll have depressing thoughts, recurring memories, but sweetie, ask your Higher Power for healing and closure, to heal that hold in your soul-
you are here on earth for a purpose, perhaps it is to protect other defenseless kids...don't fret-take it one day at a time...it all heals...trust me-
2006-08-19 16:06:41 · answer #10 · answered by ria k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋