reported going to court and I want to stop it all

[anon26]

Hi

I need advice. I reported my rape back in May and the case is due to go to court in may 2015.

I feel as though I have had closure and I don't want to go through the ordeal of court I want to get on with my life

Is there anyone on here that has been through court or pulled out don't know what to do

[whatsgoingon?]

Hi anon
I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal, but pleased you've come some way to getting over it.

I think you'll find it's too late - the crime is considered to be against the crown/state - as the victim your testimony and evidence are required to enable a conviction to what's considered to be a serious criminal offence.

This is a tricky one. I can quite understand you wanting to put it behind you and that's all to your credit but he person who raped you could go on to rape others which is something you have to bear in mind.

There are several options available so that you don't come face to face with the person who raped you including video link from a room in the court-house so that you don't need to be present in the court-room.

Good luck

[anon26]

I've disused special measures already in just don't want to give evidence at all.

I don't mind if the court wishes to carry on without me if they feel it's in the publics interest I just don't want the ordeal of it all. It had taken me 6 months to get some sense of normality back into my life.

Can I withdraw my support to the prosecution? So confused about all of this legal stuff.

I've left the police a voice mail to talk about it but doubt I will hear back until tomorrow.

[Rights Fighter]

The police will try to persuade you to give evidence, however they cannot force you to. The trial still might continue without your testimony to the jury, if they feel your ABE interview is strong enough to go unchallenged.

If the accused is going to trial (as opposed to pleading guilty) defence may well apply to the judge to have the matter dropped, as there would be no way to challenge anything within the ABE. It would be up to the judge to make that decision.

At the end of the day it is up to you - YOUR choice.

I am sure we have somebody on the falsely accused side of the forum who says that he has no memory of the incident of which he had been accused.

[anon26]

That's just it I blacked out so I have nothing to add to the trail other than what is in my statement.

Can they do a summons where I am forced to give evidence?

[Rights Fighter]

They can try but then they risk you standing there saying "I can't offer any evidence because I cannot remember anything". I've never heard of a complainant being summonsed. That doesn't mean it never happens, just I have never heard of it and it's a risk, as I said, to the prosecution case.