Raped 10 years ago. Should I tell anyone?

Question

I was raped when I was 13 and didn't do anything about it. I'm now 24. I want to put it all behind me and not make an issue of it but I still see the men out and about where I live. At the time the three people who assaulted me were ages 19, 14 and 15 years. I wonder if I'm letting three animals walk free. Should I do anything or save myself a lot of heartache and forget about it? I keep wondering If they might have done it to someone else or if they might do it again.

Answer 1

no need to tell..... forget as bad accident

Answer 2

First let me say being raped at 13 by 3 guys is a horrific event to happen to a child. The truth is Most rapes are not reported and 90% of the time the rapist knows is friends with the victim which further complicates telling. At 13 you were just a kid and maybe did not even understand what happened.
If you would have told the 14 and 15 year old would not have gone to jail because they are minors.
Its been ten years, if you tell i dont think theres much you can do.
The problem is you are saying you still see them men who raped you as a child walking around. That is going to give you flashbacks and make you feel like a victime all over again. The best thing for you to do is try to avoid their paths and the best idea is to move somewhere new away from these people who comitted a crime to you.
Telling is a huge issue. If you tell. you might not get the response you expected, people may blame you, etc So be prepared for that. If you want to tell its up to you.
You need a professional therapist and you should speak to a rape counselor asap.. This is something you cant put behind but can get help for.
Maybe you can seek self-justice somehow on those guys..
In no way should you confront these guys or even give them eye contact- act like you dont even know who they are. Confronting them or giving them eye contact would be still letting them abuse you. People like that would take pleasure in knowing that your still hurt. And they got away with it so why should they care..
just be safe. if they ever try to talk to you, scream, curse, call the police.
good luck.

Answer 3

Unfortunately...they cannot convict the three men because you have 7 years to report the rape. I would suggest seeing a therapist just to talk about it, even though it was so long ago it would be nice just to be able to have someone hear your thoughts on the situation especially since you still see the men. I know that you wont ever forget such a personal trauma but getting peace of mind just to let out your thoughts and feelings may do a lot of good. I do not suggest confronting them or trying to figure out whether or not they've done it to someone else. You could try going to your local police station and reporting it, however i do not know if they can do anything for you. Don't worry about the three men doing it to someone else, one day they'll mess up again and they will be punished.

Answer 4

Id say tell but thats only because i think rapists and peadophiles should be given the death penalty

Ok look at it this way if you tell you go through a long investigation which after 10 years is going to be cold and without evidence then most courts wont prosecute anyway

however if you dont tell you will be back here in another 10 years asking if you should tell about the someone that you were raped 20 years ago

i Presume by you name that you have a baby yourself now personally i would want to get rid of anyone who could possibly do my baby any harm

Answer 5

I think it is important to do so regardless.

My friend was date-raped by her boyfriend (because she was a virgin and wanted to wait a bit). When she woke up they had video footage and everything because it was at a party. She went to the hospital for a check up and to make sure the drugs didn't seriously harm her, but she refused to make a statement saying who the guy was.

Three years later, it came out that after her he date-raped at least 4 more girls. The last girl filed charges, and finally she got involved. Thinking nothing would ever happen to him, and that he wouldn't do it again was her downfall, as she now feels HORRIBLE for having left it alone and letting others go through the same experiance.

Do something. Consult a psychatrist to help you through the process so that you have someone to help you deal with the emotions that come through. Once their names are released, there may be more victims in the community who will help you with your case.

Answer 6

look baby i was also raped but i told someone if you get a heartache it will come from holding it in and plus it will just keep on popping in your head and ruin your life also my sister which is fourteen now got raped by the same person she ain't tell it till now and she was like 8 and now 14 soooo i suggest that you tell someone okay because what if the person you see break in your house one day(god forbid) and decide to do it again all because he know you ain't told no one and trust me he know obviously if he ain't in trouble i am telling you if you don't tell someone it will mess up your life forever if you got a child or going to have one you need to be careful and protect them from the idiots. GOD BLESS YOU i hope you do the right thing What if one of them was to do this to someone else probably have already and that girl is just like you didn't say nothing you can save someone life and just to think about it the person that raped me and my sister is still out here so im gonna stick with you just if you can email me PLEASE at ([e-mail] )

Answer 7

I am sorry to hear this but the reality of this situation is that you have waited so long to actually speak of this incident i really don't think this will get far. i am not trying to be negative and I do support you reporting this incident, however they will definitely question you about why you took so long to report it and if you are sure these are the real persons who were involved. I believe you should start by speaking with a close relative who can offer you support and then make the report, but don't leave it to lapse any longer, enough time has passed. Best wishes!

Answer 8

Absolutely! You were violated and at a very young age. You will never be able to "forget" what has happened to you. The feelings you have definitely need to be expressed to a person whom you can trust, perhaps a therapist would be most beneficial. If you don't express your feelings on this issue, you will not be saving yourself a lot of heartache, yet the opposite!!! Vent it all!!! Sincerely, Liz

Answer 9

I would check with the police to see if there is a Statute of Limitations in your state! If not, then you HAVE to report that. Nothing may come of it, but at least you made others aware of these guys and what they might be! You never know, they may have other victims that are scared to come forward.
If you don't want to go to the police, maybe you should say something to one of them... let them know that you haven't forgot... keep them scared. (that might be a bad idea though)

If you don't feel comfortable telling the authorities, then see a therapist, get help moving on. Good luck

Answer 10

Firstly I'm sorry you had to go through that, no one deserves that sort of treatment.

Whether you tell anyone is a matter of choice, I do believe you should tell a psychologist or consellor on an anonymous phone line. They have special calling services for rape victims. If you don't tell anyone you may have some serious unresolved issues which surface in other ways.

No one likes having secrets, it's best to tell someone. You will feel better, trust me.

Answer 11

I think even if you reported it the police can't do anything about it. Since there is no evidence anymore and it's been 10 years the police won't have anything to go on. Besides the statue of limitations on rape is 5 years therefore it's too late for you to get justice. I suggest just go to counseling.