Thank you
@Anarchy for checking in :hug: :hug: :hug: it means a lot.
So, as I posted in the accomplishments forum, I've finally told the police about my trauma. Today is the day after, and I'm still kind of riding out the after shock I think. I had some trouble falling asleep last night, which is a rare thing for me. But overall I think I'm doing quite well, given the significance of what I did yesterday.
This morning I called in sick to work, because I felt I needed some time for myself. Lately I've been having a lot of trouble taking care of myself and keeping my home tidy, so today I wanted to do some self care. I did a lot of laundry, which has already made a big difference, and I've started sorting out my winter and spring/summer clothes. I've also added some clothes to the "donation pile" I've been building up for a while. Now I just have to deliver it to the Salvation Army. And in the spirit of taking care of myself I cooked dinner. Tofu with peas and carrots, LOL. Well at least I'm getting my vitamins. I might have some fruit for dessert.
The big question right now is whether or not I will make a formal report with the police about having been raped. I'll try to list some pros and cons here, and perhaps I'll add to them later.
Making a formal report -
Pros:
- The police may start a formal investigation, which would officially register the rapist as a suspect in the police system
- The rapist will be confronted with what he's done
- I will have the satisfaction of having done everything I could do after the fact
- Even if there is no formal investigation, my report may support other reports that may be out there, or will be out there some day. This not only supports my report, but also the reports of any other victims he may have made.
- My parents will be proud of me and feel like some justice has been served.
- If he would win a case against him, he would still always carry the label of a suspect of sexual assault. Anyone who does their research on him would find out about him, making it hard for him to ever find a job.
Cons:
- For the investigation I will have to go through every detail of what happened, which can be traumatic all over again. Also, not all I remember is clear anymore, given the fact that I was very probably in psychological shock at the time and it's almost been five years
- Confronting the rapist gives him an opportunity to confront me as well, and he could do a lot of damage with that. A male like him will have no shame or boundaries, so he will play it very dirty.
- I'm still absolutely terrified of him
- I have nothing but my word against his. If an investigation would even be started (for example, because someone else reported him as well), it would be very hard to prove. And his lawyer would try to make me look as badly as possible, in order to defend his client.
- If there would ever be a case and he'd win, he would officially have gotten away with it.
- He might come after me and threaten or even hurt me.
I just don't know what to do yet. I only have about two weeks to make a decision. I hope I'll eventually do the right thing, whatever that is.