Child Abuse

LegacyUser

Going ureged for this.

I post here the odd time, mostly read. Since X-mas my life has had its shares of ups and downs. Nothing I cant handle. But there is something I cant handle anymore.

When I was a child about 6-8 I was abused by my cousin, who was 6-8 years older then me. This came to light ( I told people 4 years ago). And lately this has been boiling inside me, and has lead to many bad decesions I have bad, regarding girls and dealing with issues. Today I have decided to tell the gardai, even thou councillers in the past told me to, I never did it.

But I am after being hit my a bombshell, my dad told me that if my cousin was under 18 years of age at the time, nothin will happen, which would be touch and go. I dont have excate dates I was a child at the time.

When I finally do something about it there is a chance nothing will happen....Is this true?? I know this aint legal forum, but peoples advice on handling this is what I need.
I have it in my mind to call the cops after so long, if they cant do anything, I'm worried I might resolve this myself.

Marksie

This is not a legal forum OP you are correct.

So we can offer no legal advice.

The only thing I would say is.

What DO you want to do that will in the end be best for your state of mind?

What will cause you to begin to move this from your system and allow yourself to move on?

It is down to that in the end.

LegacyUser

Closure, to lead a normal life, not have this in the back of my mind, and fear relationships. I usually find girls with issues so I can help them and ignore mine. I just want it over with.

Nevyn

http://www.drcc.ie/services/index.htm

Services Introduction

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre offers a wide range of services to women and men who are affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse.

Our aim is to offer help and support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence of any kind. This may have been recently, some years ago or in childhood.

We take calls from people of all ages, creeds, ethnic groups and orientations. Our counsellors will also speak with friends, relatives and concerned persons as well as take general queries.

Here in the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre we acknowledge it takes courage to phone or to call into the Centre for the first time and we assure you that if you contact us you will be treated with dignity and respect.

Perhaps in visiting this website you are taking a first step on your journey towards healing and we encourage you to take the next step and call us.

We are here to listen

FREEPHONE 1800 778888

FOR INFORMATION

OR TO SEEK AN APPOINTMENT

http://www.oneinfour.org/about/

Status

One in Four Ireland is a registered charity (CHY 15289) with offices in Dublin, Ireland.

Our Purpose

One in Four offers a voice to and support for women and men who have experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual violence and also to their family and friends.

In Ireland research has shown that one in four children (27%) will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18 (view source of this statisitc). Society has thus far been unwilling to face up to the deep rooted nature of this problem or the sheer scale of the long term damage it leaves in its wake. Examples of this in documneted in The Ferns Report - the Ferns Inquiry was called for by One in Four. (PDF 1.55 MB - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free of charge from Adobe's website)

Statistics on sexual violence in Ireland can be found in The SAVI Report,which was carried out by the Dublin Rape Crisis and The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 2002.

Marksie

Use the resources thaed has given, seek advice and support before proceeding and in whatever decision you do make.

You have my best wishes in moving on from this and achieving your goals

Overheal

Even if the law 'protects' your cousin from certain laws and punishments there are likely others he can be charged with if that is what you wish.

On the other hand, an issue like this could blow an entire can of worms onto the age of consent debate. Its not impossible to consider your case would bring about new laws to protect minors from sexual abuse by other minors.

As for your relationships, I'm sure you know yourself relationships of that nature will almost never work out: bot hbecause you have your problems you need to confront and so do they.

My deepest sympathies.

Victor

gounreg123 wrote: »

But I am after being hit my a bombshell, my dad told me that if my cousin was under 18 years of age at the time, nothin will happen

Its not as clear cut as that. He was substantially older than you and knew much better what was right or wrong. While the law does treat juveniles differently to adults, juveniles can still go to prison.

However, the first and most important thing is to get your own head sorted.

cathy01

Reading your thread and wish you all the best.
Keep posting if you need to.We can only listen.
Big hug.
cathy