If you report rape without any evidence can the trial still go to court?

Question

Let's say you were raped seven or eight months ago. You didn't see your attacker but kept having weird dreams about this symbol. One day you are at the pool with one of your friends and his boxer shorts falls a bit lower because of the water and you see the symbol that you kept dreaming of tattooed on him. You confront him about it and he smirks telling you that it you can't prove it...and insinuates that he was the one. You destroyed all physical evidence but you can swear on your grandmother's grave that it is him... you want to report it. What channels does it go through and is it possible that he may be tried? Even without any physical evidence and its basically his word against yours?

My problem is would it even go to court? I really need it to go to court...

Answer 1

you can, but the case probably won't go very far. good luck, i hope you seek justice.

Answer 2

You can certainly report the rape-some states have Statute of LImitation Laws, but none are as short as 8 months, so technically you can report it and expect criminal charges to be filed. While there may not be any physical evidence, there are certainly other kinds of evidence the police can pursue. If you make an accusation, the first step will be for the police to question the alleged perpetrator. Alot will hinge on his account of what happened and/or his alibi. You need to be certain to report the conversation you had with him at the swimming pool. Since he said those things to you directly, it could be used as evidence and not pushed aside as "hearsay". The most important thing about reporting your rape so many months later is DETAILS! If you can, try to remember everything that happened: time, place, sounds, smells, are all VERY important and the police will want as many details as possible. Part of your question is confusing: did you remember in a dream that this happened or can you actually remember it? Those kinds of things will also be important. I would suggest writing your account of what happened and taking it with you when you go to report. This will give you time in a private place, and in the comfort of your surroundings to think about what happened and any details you might know. Best of luck in pursuing this! My prayers are with you and all rape victims!

Answer 3

This tattooed you see will give you memory and the feeling well come back until you talk to the police or someone. Women hide their emotions on rape for years.. NOT GOOD
Please talk to someone and try real hard to remember the facts
where you were,
the time of day,..... where it was done, .....don't make it a story just stay to the facts,
Tell what you wore and what you remember he wore
They will ask why you did not see the attacker (this will involve you to give more detail)
Who ever rape you will do it again and you most likely you were not the first...or last
And the smirk is just a cover up to scare you

Please seek help
will it go to trail it is a toss up but if more women come forward YOU BET

Answer 4

You can try to charge him, but it will be your word against him, unless you can prove that you were raped. Usually credibility will be given to the one who doesn't lie, if he is caught in a lie, like where he was that night for example this will cast doubt on further testimony he gives.

It may be easier for you to try and find out if he has raped other girls or if he is brought to trial for another rape, they usually don't rape just once, then you can become a corrobarating witness to the fact that you were once raped by this man also the fact that you know a distinguishing mark, since your dream is just a dream this may be compelling evidence. Hope this didn't really happen to you.

Answer 5

Why dint you report it even if you didn't see the attacker.
Courts will not act on dreams and symbols. If you had reported it at the time you could have told them about the tattoo and then it would have bearing on the case. After this amount of time you don't even have DNA. It could have been consensual and not rape. you don't have a case.

Answer 6

Yes, you can still report the attack, but he may not get convicted or even charged without some sort of evidence. If he did rape you, you certainly need to report it to the police. Just think if he does this again. These kinds of predators need to be reported. Good luck.

Answer 7

Wow, that is an amazing story. I would talk to a lawyer for sure and even if you don't have any prood and end up with a not guilty verdict at least you will be putting him through some kind of humiliation like you suffered.

Answer 8

You should go to the Police and report it anyway - they might know of a way to prove it that you aren't even aware of. Even if they can't go forward, it may scare him enough not to try it again with somebody else. It still may be his word against yours and that will be difficult to prove - why didn't you report it then?

Answer 9

It is a hard case to prove at this point, for certain. You have to realize that it is a partnership between police and the prosecutor's office as to whether something goes to trial...Police must charge the alleged perpetrator and the prosecutor must determine their is sufficient evidence to go to trial. Speak to a lawyer.

Answer 10

Before proceeding, make sure you are CERTAIN that the person who harmed you is the perpetrator.

Otherwise, you will have ruined the reputation of an innocent man and possibly sent him to prison unjustly.

Answer 11

it could go to court but if you don't remember your attacker who is going to court? and if you do know who did it, its your word against his so you need to find some good evidence or he can walk