How the fuck is there a statute of limitations for rape in New York?

[LadyForCamus]

I understand where you're coming from.  I've been there.  And yeah, it's infuriating.  But I think it's important (at least for me it was) to stand up and say out loud - "I'm a human being, and what was done to me is NOT okay."  Even if no one listens.  You're saying it for yourself.  I was dragged into the police station practically kicking and screaming by my friends, lol, and nothing came of if it.  But in hindsight, I'm glad I took that stand for my own humanity.  I think I would have regretted not reporting.  But that's me.  I'm only one silly person after all.  [emoji12]. I'm not sure what the research says about psychological healing with regards to reporting versus not reporting, if any exists at all.  Any one got anything?

I reported being raped when I was 15. I was doubted, berated by people who heard the rumors, accused of lying and/or asking for it because of where I was walking, and a rape kit was collected but never processed. I gave a humiliating statement in front of my mother and several male police officers, and in the end, exactly nothing was done. It was not taken seriously at all. I am not even sure the town police believed me. If they did, they did absolutely nothing about it.

It would have been an easier experience for me to just not report it, I think.

So, so sorry to hear that Mermaid.      I know, it's awful.  I don't know why we can't do better in this country.  I think it would help if women weren't constantly berated for "attention-seeking" or "playing the victim" every time we talk about our experiences.  The statistics speak for themselves.  If people want to live with their fingers in their ears because it's "icky" that's their own issue.   Just because we don't let sexual assault define us as individuals that doesn't mean we should feel ashamed or embarrassed to even bring it up!  Why should it still be so taboo?  No one gets an eye-roll in response when talking about their house getting broken into, or having been robbed at gun point.