Ptsd And Filing Civil Suit

[Deleted member 28740]

Rape changed my life profoundly. Part of that is being at my lowest level, times runs out and you have no statute of limitations to bring suit. You are diminished by the event, and in further screwed trying for justice. Me against multi million dollar impunity. I want my day in court.

 

[The Albatross]

Is this the right forum? Help Desk?

 

[Deleted member 28740]

Don't where to post this thread.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think its great that you want to fight for justice. Are you just as prepared to lose as you are to win? I'm not saying to not fight, but at the same time I've seen court battles tear people apart. Sometimes the "cost" of justice is far greater than we ever imagined.

 

[Casper1018]

I sued the individual, the international non-profit, and the church where my perpetrator worked in a civil suit. It was a 4 year process, but I won $330,000! It didn't undo what happened but it has helped with ongoing counseling costs. It was draining, but I am very glad I pursued that route.

 

[Seagreen]

Maybe there should be an international 'Report your rape day'. Given the number of rapes that go unreported, legal systems would be flooded with hundreds of thousands of claims to sort through. Whether they had a good case or not, rape victims could stand together instead of trying to survive in isolation. With the magnitude of the problem now visible and unavoidable, what choice would they have to but to address the flaws which prevent injustice?

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@Solara Legal help is not easy to get for individual vs. individual. No class action suit or kudos for the work. Trying to find legal help for basic filing so SOL is not timed out. Few reply nibbles for help, how to recover from a personal trust? Sorry, can't help. It is important to me that no matter the outcome that I did try to - stand up for myself, to … this is part of it? Revenge, no, Justice, yes, How dare you and not give a damn about what you did to me and my life. That if you broke into my house or my car I could seek remedy, but not for this, not with any ease through the system. WHy is that?

 

[joeylittle]

@Changeling, I just want to ask a few questions, if that's ok? Trying to understand your situation better -

It sounds like you are looking to bring a civil suit against the individual who raped you - is that right? And because you developed PTSD as a result of the rape, you'd be using that as the main claim for damages?

It also sounds like you did not bring criminal charges against the individual. Has the statute of limitations passed already in the state the rape took place in? Did you report it to the police in the first place? (no judging here at all, really just asking for clarification)

And it sounds like you know who this individual is, the rapist, and you know how and where to find them. Is that right?

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@Seagreen One Billion Rising check out. Eve Ensler. Much in the media last weeks about rape, and long ago rape, and … Many posts to one site were about the "wrongfully accused." The damage done. Statistics for the US are on 7% conviction of 23% prosecuted, those that made it to the prosecution phase. One comment I wrote, was that live video of Garner being choke hold murdered could not get a conviction, how does a rape get a prosecution or conviction. X said, Y said. I think most people think sex is sex, and rape is just sex, so what. Break into my home, got gun fine to kill. Rape, PROVE it.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@joeylittle Just like life, it is complicated. Someone I knew very well. Happened in my home. Did not know about PTSD but life disintegrated over some years. I did lose my bisuness and then my home (foreclosure). During that was his attempt to make "amends" Can send you some info PM. SOL for the work related loss should be filed within a few weeks.
No criminal charges for rape, shutdown, denial, zombie, pregnancy, miscarriage. His "amends" offered left me even worse off.

 

[joeylittle]

You might find this link useful: Link Removed

It is specific to Washington state, but it is a very good overview. I think the practical question is, can you afford it? You'll be responsible for all costs, including expert testimony. The emotional question is, like @Solara said, is this going to be a positive thing for your mental health or a damaging thing? As I now understand it, you'll essentially be opening your whole life to scrutiny.

You said "I want my day in court" - do you really mean, you want to be heard? Or accuse? Or be validated in your experience of being wronged? Some of that you might be able to get without trying to launch a lawsuit. I don't know...just thinking out loud.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@joeylittle

I know, I know, can you afford justice? I say that society can not afford the swept under the rug statistics. Not my day in court, the process of rape indictment and prosecution in court counted. Can't be in the stats if you are not counted.

This person also owes me over $20K in work related wages, and expenses. Part of his making amends was a job. Tip of the ice berg.