Reporting Crimes: Do You Feel Guilty?

[billie]

I am now hitting on a different part of my traumas. I am troubled because it was not just myself as a victim trapped in a underage ring. There were others whom I don't know their full names. So I bring forward a question.... how do you live with the guilt that you made it out alive. Also, how can you bring justice to those offenders who are nameless? I feel like a coward because I am scared to report however my T had a valid point; what if there are more victims? If there are anyone in this forum that can relate I would love to hear your input. X

 

[Sandi79]

Report what you can. You mentioned an underage ring, there are various non-profit groups who work towards shutting underage rings down, you could get involved in those. Helping the groups who try to shut them down will help you.

 

[billie]

I would like that Sandi. May I ask where would I begin to find a group like that? I still have a lot of psychotherapy but when I am ready I think that would help. This burden is almost unbearable at the moment.

 

[Hopeful85]

I regret NOT reporting! One of my sexual abusers went on to abuse his child and the guilt I feel is horrible. I wish I had the courage to tell someone and to end the cycle. It is a tough situation, either way is a hard road, but at the end of the day, I don't think you will ever regret sticking up for yourself.

 

[Ghostybear73]

I'm going to throw out a different perception than most others for you to think about. I know the guilt you feel, but I think its important to think about the reprocussions should you decide to report at this point. There is a huge difference between reporting an abuser that you fear may hurt someone else and reporting a sex ring.

I know how difficult it is to escape that, are you willing to put your life in danger by getting caught again. I would be willing to bet that if they found you, the pain of the abuse would be ten times as that of the original abuse. Also, do you have children? If so, are you willing to put them in a position of getting caught and going through what you did?

 

[Sandi79]

Shared Hope, thats a really good non-profit group