Reporting a Sexual Assault With Fear of Retaliation

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington

At the end of June, this year, I was sexually assaulted. I sought medical attention and had a forensic exam done. I didn't speak with the police because I was afraid of retaliation from the guy and/or his friends and how my family would handle the whole thing.

I'm still afraid to speak with the police and tell them everything that happened. I'm not sure if I have the courage to tell my story when it involves things that are so horrific. How do I express things like that...? Even though I'm still afraid, I feel like I want to press charges now because I don't want anyone else to go through what I did.

I tried looking online to find this answer but I was confused at some of the things I read. Can I still file charges even though it's been more than 30 days since the exam was done? Since its been a few months, are the chances of the guy being charged lower now?

Thank you for any help.

You can file a report. It is up to the prosecutor to determine if charges will be filed or not. In this sort of situation it is difficult to say what the prosecutor might do. If you had not been to the hospital the chances of prosecution would be very slim. Since you did go and had a forensic exam done, it might be enough for the prosecutor to consider it.

Apperently the statute of limitations is 10 years for prosecution in WA IF the crime is reported in first year.

My lay guess is DA/ Prosecutor will cool to your plight if you wait much longer...the issue is to bring the dude to justice for what he did to you...not what he might do to some future person. ..Id get on it with police promptly

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Quoting HRinDEVON

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Apperently the statute of limitations is 10 years for prosecution in WA IF the crime is reported in first year.

My lay guess is DA/ Prosecutor will cool to your plight if you wait much longer...the issue is to bring the dude to justice for what he did to you...not what he might do to some future person. ..Id get on it with police promptly

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I'd say that bringing this guy to justice now may stave off a future attack.

OP, I can only imagine how frightened you are, but I hope you find the courage to make a report.