I have a problem...but I don't want to go into details for the world to see...  
 
Need some advice about if I should contact the local police or not about a possible sexual assault!!  
 

Yes. you should.  
 
Edited by Ryan_M, 2012-08-09 23:24:18

" better to be safe than sorry! "

Totally agree with Ryan. Probably sooner than later, before you lose your nerve. Good luck!  

Sexual assualt is an serious offense, and should be reported. If the persons done it once, they have likely done it before or/and will do it again.  
 
 

YES you need to go to the police about it. I myself am a victim of sexual assult and I was to afraid to go to the police and when I did I have come to find out that this person had assulted 5 other women. If I would have went when it happend maybe those other women would have been spared.. Sexual assult is serious and you need to act on it before it is too late.

Your all right - just i'm scared to go down and i don't want the family to know I've been involved again...  
 
this isn't the first time this has happened

crime stoppers? (i don't know if that would really work in your situation)

Shhhh said "Your all right - just i'm scared to go down and i don't want the family to know I've been involved again...     this isn't the first time this has happened "

If its happened more than once, and you know it is wrong, then yes, please do report it so others do not get harmed (or tragicly yourself being involved again). I understand issues of this nature can be tough to speak out about, but the fact is whomever is involved in causing such pain needs to be stopped. Is there anyone (close family friend?) that you can confide in? Maybe having some support when you do choose to report the situation will help make it easier.

Honestly, as a sexual assault victim who chose to stand up and go to BPS with my complaint, I'm going to go against the grain and say No, don't bother.  
 
Now, that is depending on the circumstances. If booze was involved, best to just move on, rather than try and report as a victim only to be told that the police 'think you just had too much to drink and woke up with a fuzzy memory and a guilty conscience'.  
 
Do you have anyone to back up the victim's side of the story? If not, don't bother, because it's accuser's word vs that of the accused, and the police seem more scared of possibly wrongfully charging someone with sexual assault than believing the victim.  
 
Is there evidence of the assault? Rape kit, bruising, etc? If there's bruising, better get pictures the minute they appear, otherwise they'll tell you 'the pictures [that we took after you reminded us we hadn't taken them yet because the camera was misplaced] don't really show any significant bruising'.  
 
There is a reason that more victims don't report sexual assault, and honestly, after my experience, unless there is undeniable, 100% legally verifiable proof of the sexual assault, I would never again report a sexual assult- it's more traumatizing to deal with the police than to just try and move on.

You sound disappointed that the police won't prosecute someone without evidence or witnesses?? Think about that for a minute

don't hesitate if you feel it's happening

First of all - Everytime I've had to report a crime like this the man ended up having a record...so I'm thinking from what happened he may have a record!  
 
Second the police do try to find the accused, sure if there is no evidence it's hard but if you can tell him all the information and explain what happened despite if not seeing the dangers before hand.  
 
third Yes i know I've been a victim before but the problem is, it's been years and when I felt unsafe I did try to stop it that's when things changed in a way I've never had to handle before!!  
 
I know the BPS take care of the victims in crimes like this, they don't judge you and in my case there was no alcohol involved and the biggest mistake I made was not seeing the signs earlier!!  
 
I know I screwed up, trust me I'm already getting the lecture but some people are not as aware of this as others or who are more vulnerable and hate to admit I fall in that category...but I want to do the right thing, and make sure i never make the same mistake again!

You need to call the BPS "Victims Services" number at (204)729-2335. Please call right away. There are other things to consider here. Your health and welfare should be your first priority. Talk to the girls there and she will help you with your decision as to whether to you should make a complaint or not. Please call now.

but don't get your hopes up. Unless you have some evidence. Speaking from experience, it's basically your word against theirs. He even managed to make a "hickey", and some scratch marks, before I managed to push him off, yet that still wasn't enough evidence for them. Best to try though, it'd get one more creep off the street. I know of at least 2 out and about in Brandon right now, that managed to get away with what they did.

Sent you a pm shhh

i would phone victims services like suggested and tell them what you know, let them take it from there, if its something , you'll have done the right thing