I need to add something here in the interest of integrity and honesty, and to make sure that rape victims who read posts like these don't develop unrealistic expectations when it comes to prosecuting for rape.It's possible something got lost in the posting of this in terms of explaining the timeline, and if so, please correct me.
However, you cannot fully prosecute a rape in this country in 48 hours: you can't even START to do so in that time frame. Even in the best-case scenario, where a victim remembers the crime very accurately, and gets into the police station or a crisis clinic IMMEDIATELY afterwards to collect evidence, it takes about 10 days just to get the return on that evidence on the most basic level, including HIV test results, all of which are vital before the process of prosecution can even begin. After those ten days at a minimum, it takes at least ten days more to even get a preliminary hearing, which is the first of many, many steps for rape prosecution. If you're lucky, a case can be completed in a couple of months. If you're not, it can take far longer. But it cannot take two days. It just can't.
IF you have been the victim of rape, it is VERY important that you get the a police station IMMEDIATELY afterward: without tangible evidence, and without your very detailed remembrance of the crime, prosecution is highly unlikely. Delayed reporting -- even by a couple days -- can usually (and unfortunately) guarantee that you don't have a case.
And of course, in the best of all possible worlds, you do whatever you can to avoid it happening in the first place: don't leave your drink sitting around at parties. Keep it in your hand at all times. Have a friend with you at all times. Don't hang out in groups of intoxicated people known or unknown to you. Use street smarts when you're out alone, and learn some basic self-defense techniques.
And if you are raped and do prosecute, as tough as it is, keep your expectations realistic and recognize that you will have to steel yourself for a long, long process, but it is usually worth the effort.
So, sweet_devil, I'm not sure exactly what is going on here, but if you haven't yet reported this and you want to, I'd encourage you to do so as soon as is humanly possible. And if you need some real-life support, we can find a rape crisis center in your area to get you some.
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Heather Corinna
Editor and Founder, Scarleteen
"If you're a bird, be an early early bird --
But if you're a worm, sleep late." - Shel Silverstein