How do you feel about rape victims not reporting the crime?

[Katie14 4,828]

This is something ive been thinking about the past few weeks. I completely understand that it is not a rape victim's responsibility to prevent other rapes from the same person from happening. They do not deserve to feel any sense of guilt if the perpetrator hurts others after them. I just cant help but think that there is a potential for others to be saved and that potential is wasted if victim's keep the crime to themselves.

In Gaga's case for example, she cant prove anything and would be sued for defamation if she tried to report what happened to her. I understand she doesnt want to have to relive more traumatic moments, be questioned about her experiences, be doubted, and ridiculed. That is so much to ask of her and i would never say she is selfish for not doing any of that. Im just wondering if her rapist is still raping or abusing other young aspiring musicians. Maybe if she said something, his reputation would be marred and people would at least know what they are getting themselves into before working with him, or they wouldnt work with him at all. I guarantee you if someone Gaga knew said he/she is going to work with that producer, she would warn them not to. That situation is different because she wouldnt have to expose herself to the world, just that one person so it makes sense. 

Victims have a certain amount of power and i guess i just feel bad that they waste it out of fear. 

How do you feel about this? 

 

 

[MelbHawker 6,583]

I have a deep sympathy for rape victims and all those who are sexually assaulted and I totally understand how hard it is for some to come forward and tell law enforcers/police what has happened to them. There's a huge fear associated with coming forward - questions like 'if I tell police, do I have to tell everyone?' 'what if they tell me they need proof of the crime? I have no proof' etc. The victim is literally not in the wrong.. but the law makes it so difficult for care to be exercised when it comes to these victims & that is why they feel so scared, and also ashamed of coming forward and informing people and the police about their suffering. 

Not to mention the piss weak laws we have around the world where rape is concerned. Here in Australia we have 'automatic parole' for sex offenders. You read correctly. Basically, rapists are free to remain on the street over here once a crime has been reported to the police. Victims in my country feel nothing but helplessness in telling police. It's truly awful. 

 

[Whispering 18,865]

On college campuses, only twenty per cent of victims report the crime. Gaga was 19 when she was raped, which is college age. I imagine victims in that age group, who aren't in college, have similar statistics. 

The reasons for not reporting are varied, but the same themes of being ashamed and blaming oneself...plus knowing that you are not going to be believed and will be subjected to being revictimized...seem to be the predominate reasons that these young victims don't come forward.

@Katie14 Have you watched The Hunting Ground? 

[MonsterMum 2,532]

Keep in mind only 5-12% (depends what report you read) are FALSE rape accusations. Out of revenge, spite, fear (for parents if finding out the kid had sex) or regret. So even tho there might be no evidence cause that's really hard to get it most likely happened. If it happens you wanna crawl into your bed shutting off the world and shower all day long. Going out to report something like this when you just want to sink away into the world, or convince yourself that nothing happened, it's your own fault etc is going against every thought process you might have at that moment. 

[brendablethyn 536]

I think also lots of victims are put off because cross examination in court can be brutal, the defense will do everything they can to muddy your name and call you a liar, question your memory, interrogate you about your sexual history. It doesn't surprise me that victims don't want to take the case to police, I think they're probably aware that the perpetrator may do it to other people, but going through a court case can be very traumatizing.