I was raped in 1996, is it too late to press charges againse my rapist?

Answer 1

In Canada there is no statute of limitations for rape, so yes you could here. It is always more difficult, but not impossible, to get a conviction after so many years have passed.

Answer 2

If you live in NYS, NO. The statute of limitations on rape is 5 years in NYS. What the statute is where you live, if not NYS, I don't know. But I would venture a guess and say that after 11 years, it's too late.

If the statute where you live in still in effect now, you could seek bringing charges, however, don't count on a conviction. Don't even count on it seeing the inside of a court room. Rape is a very hard charge to convict on. It's is truly one of those "Your word against his" type of things, and it's not because he's a man and you're not(I'm assuming your a girl and it was a guy). It's because it's one person's word against another. Especially 11 years later. No physical evidence exists anymore. Even if you had a rape kit done, the chances of it still being in storage this many years later is next to nill. A jury would want to know why you waited so long, and be suspicious of it.

My suggestion is, if you are having a hard time dealing with the memories, seek professional counseling. Rape is a very damaging crime to the victim and it's not easily gotten past. But you can do it. That which doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.

Answer 3

All States have a statute of limitations on rape and most sex crimes. This is to help keep the memories of witnesses including the victim fresh. It also protects the innocent from being wrongly accused after relationships go wrong, as for what ever reason some women will make false claims to get even. Best luck to you, but if it was an acquaintance, and you know of any other victims you can usually be called as a witness as you would be part of a pattern of violence.

Answer 4

It depends on what state you live in. Typically no, it wouldn't be too late, but you might not ever see a conviction, particularly if you never filed a police report. Unfortunately some girls make false claims of rape, which makes the reporting of a 11 year old rape an unlikely story to be believed or taken seriously, but that is not to say you should not go forward with reporting it. You absolutely should. It would be selfish not to.

Answer 5

Number 1 in inquiry would have to be done in the questioners state to see what the statue of limitations is on rape.
Number 2 if no charges were pressed at the time there would be no physcial evidence of the rape occurring. Making it hard to prove a case.
Number 3 It would be a he said she said deal. His or her word against your word. A question someone would ask is why now eleven years later.
Go to the police get it down in writing. Don't be disappointed if a grand jury throw out the case because it's a he said she said.

Answer 6

Not at all, there are a lot of historical rapes reported. Obviously you need to bear in mind that a lot of the evidence will be lost (i.e. medical evidence) but with good statements from you its not impossible and convictions have happened in older cases even than that. You probably need some sort of closure as well. However be prepared that going to court can be quite a traumatic process but if thats what you need to do to put it to bed then you should. You should get plenty of support from police and other agencies throughout the process anyway.

Answer 7

No, it is NOT too late to file charges against the rapist, but it will be harder to prove your case now with the passage of all that time.

Answer 8

Yes, it may be to late. For some states, the statute of limitiations is five years. After that time, it's too late for legal action.

Answer 9

Depends on the your state law but most likely it will never be too late. A crime like yours is not only act against you but also an act against the State and the State usually have high interests in protecting its citizens from criminals. Please do so to protect others like my own daughter.

Answer 10

It depends on where you live. What you need to look for is the 'Statue of limitation' on rapes in your state. I would assume that it has expired though. Sorry.