I need Info about reporting a sex crime (the best, county, women)

[kittie_baby23]

I was sexually asulted many years ago by someone who wasn't that much older than me. We were both minors under 13 at the time and I was told that there wasn't anything that could be done about it. Now that same person that asulted me is under investigation for another sex crime against a minor. What I want to know is there anything that can be done if I report my crime as well. It has been many years (over 15) and like I said, we were both minors under 13. Any information on the topic would be very helpful. Thank you.

[DareToDream]

Kittie - I'm sorry you had such an experience at such a young age! I would think the best way to find your answer would be to either call or stop in at the local State Troopers - I would hope someone there would be able to answer your question. If you don't want to go "the police route" just yet, then maybe your local hospital's social worker could steer you in the right direction....or, if you have a Women's Crisis Center near you, they may also know the answer.

These are all just "guesses" on my part.......

[nhyrnut]

Originally Posted by kittie_baby23

I was sexually asulted many years ago by someone who wasn't that much older than me. We were both minors under 13 at the time and I was told that there wasn't anything that could be done about it. Now that same person that asulted me is under investigation for another sex crime against a minor. What I want to know is there anything that can be done if I report my crime as well. It has been many years (over 15) and like I said, we were both minors under 13. Any information on the topic would be very helpful. Thank you.

If you where both under the age of 13, than it will never be made public record and can not be used at all. Those records are sealed. And anything from that time is non admissible. Even if you where to bring it up now, and report it for the first time nothing will come of it but you feeling better. Sorry, But in NH that is the law. A minor is a minor and in honesty I agree with the law. At that age (under 13) a child has no real comprehension of life. If it was reported then. Maybe others could have helped but now the time has passed.

[DareToDream]

nhyrnut - Just a question - is the reason nothing is admissible because both parties were under 13?

The reason I ask is because, oh gosh, about 15 or so years ago, a priest who had been active in a church in our area and had since been transferred out of NYS was found to be one who was "involved" with the young boys in the church. My then-stepson was one who had spent a lot of time with this priest when he was young, between the ages of 11 and 15, and we were told that if he had been molested/assaulted by the priest during that time, he could come forward and charges could be pressed. I don't know what the outcome was, as his father and I parted ways shortly after that. Of course, in that situation one party was an adult, the other a child, hence the question.

Also, by NH law, if the situation of the original poster had been brought to the attention of the authorities at the time it occurred, still nothing would have been done? Just curious........

[GregW]

K-B23 - Present your story to the County Attorney. I am not a lawyer, and as you indicated that there was no reporting of the original incident so I don't see that there are any records to seal. I think you should tell your story.

[kittie_baby23]

Originally Posted by nhyrnut

If you where both under the age of 13, than it will never be made public record and can not be used at all. Those records are sealed. And anything from that time is non admissible. Even if you where to bring it up now, and report it for the first time nothing will come of it but you feeling better. Sorry, But in NH that is the law. A minor is a minor and in honesty I agree with the law. At that age (under 13) a child has no real comprehension of life. If it was reported then. Maybe others could have helped but now the time has passed.

I wonder why you think a child of that age has no comprehension of life. If that were so then don't you think that victims of such things wouldn't think much about it years after it happened? Don't you think that victims who are assulted when they are under 13 wouldn't know what was happening to them? If I had no comprehension of life at the young age of 7 then don't you think that I wouldn't be hurting as much as I am now? Trust me whan I say that I had comprehension then as much as I do now. I knew it was wrong and I knew that it hurt. He knew what he was doing was wrong just like he knows that it's still wrong. The idea that children don't have comprehension is unthinkable. I see so many children that understand so much more than most adults. They see things from a different persective, yes, but to say they have no comprehension is ignorant. Think about if it were your child in my situation. Wouldn't you want to do something about it too?

[ontheroad]

I don't know the laws in NH, but if the assailant is now under investigation, your testimony may help convict him/her. However, he/she cannot be tried for a crime committed years ago because it is beyond the statute of limitations, not underage crime (at least in NYS). Statute of limitations are probably less than 5 years.

I do think you should call and discuss this, painful as it may be, because it will possibly heal some old wounds and potentially help the latest victim of an assault crime.

Good luck!

[kwiley1221]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I don't know the laws in NH, but if the assailant is now under investigation, your testimony may help convict him/her. However, he/she cannot be tried for a crime committed years ago because it is beyond the statute of limitations, not underage crime (at least in NYS). Statute of limitations are probably less than 5 years.

I do think you should call and discuss this, painful as it may be, because it will possibly heal some old wounds and potentially help the latest victim of an assault crime.

Good luck!

I agree, especially if you think your testimony could help in the case. The current victim (and others?) could be feeling like they are the only ones going through this. If someone else comes forward, it will make it a lot easier, although still painful, for the victim to deal with this...and hopefully put an end to it before it happens again.

[nhyrnut]

Originally Posted by windchimes03561

nhyrnut - Just a question - is the reason nothing is admissible because both parties were under 13?

The reason I ask is because, oh gosh, about 15 or so years ago, a priest who had been active in a church in our area and had since been transferred out of NYS was found to be one who was "involved" with the young boys in the church. My then-stepson was one who had spent a lot of time with this priest when he was young, between the ages of 11 and 15, and we were told that if he had been molested/assaulted by the priest during that time, he could come forward and charges could be pressed. I don't know what the outcome was, as his father and I parted ways shortly after that. Of course, in that situation one party was an adult, the other a child, hence the question.

Also, by NH law, if the situation of the original poster had been brought to the attention of the authorities at the time it occurred, still nothing would have been done? Just curious........

Yes it is because they where both under 13. But if at the time it happened, had it been reported. Than it would have been dealt with. Through the juvenile court system. No one would have known what happened except those involved, and rumors. Juvenile hall probably wouldn't of even of come into play. Just counseling and other things of that nature. In rare cases Juvenile hall is brought in but rarely.

[nhyrnut]

Originally Posted by kittie_baby23

I wonder why you think a child of that age has no comprehension of life. If that were so then don't you think that victims of such things wouldn't think much about it years after it happened? Don't you think that victims who are assulted when they are under 13 wouldn't know what was happening to them? If I had no comprehension of life at the young age of 7 then don't you think that I wouldn't be hurting as much as I am now? Trust me whan I say that I had comprehension then as much as I do now. I knew it was wrong and I knew that it hurt. He knew what he was doing was wrong just like he knows that it's still wrong. The idea that children don't have comprehension is unthinkable. I see so many children that understand so much more than most adults. They see things from a different persective, yes, but to say they have no comprehension is ignorant. Think about if it were your child in my situation. Wouldn't you want to do something about it too?

You can say this all you want, But I stand my ground. At 18 we know it all as well. and at 16, Oh and one must not forget 21. Life is lived through experience. I am sorry you still feel pain, but YOU did not say anything at the time. Which kinda falls under the no comprehension line. For if you did at that time, you would have reported it. And this person would have gotten the help they needed. Or the state would have at least tried to prevent further things of this nature. In no means am I saying kids are stupid. They just don't truly know what they are doing alot of times, they mostly do not think of the consequences and rarely understand the long term effects. There for they don't comprehend life and the choices they make at that young age. Sorry but as I said, Sorry for your pain, but I stand my ground.