soulofthesky Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 I am seeking advice. Someone close to me was raped as a teenager first by one male and later by another male she knew and a stranger. These crimes have caused her untold mental trauma for two decades. She never reported them out of fear and tried counseling for two months but stopped before getting into the details of what happened. She is slowly starting to deal with this but in doing so she is facing things she has tried to bury. I have come to believe that in order for her to begin to heal or at least get to a point where these events do not debilitate everyday life, the perpetrators need to be held accountable. The fact that they have so far gotten away with it weighs heavily. Our state has no sol for rape and it would be near impossible to to prove without a confession. I am not planning to act criminally nor am I looking for a way to do so. I know two of the perps and have extensive information about them. What course of action can I morally, ethically, and legally take to produce some reckoning , or justice, in this situation, and learn who the third person is? Should I. Not do anything and just focus on the victim? Thank you for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 (edited) There are two issues, it seems. One is her own well-being and dealing with what happened in a manner so that it does not negatively impact her life, further. The second is a matter of justice for the crimes committed against your friend. I would highly recommend contacting Dr. Michael J. Hurd, a psychologist and fan of Objectivism, and asking his advice on both matters - I don't know (it's doubtful) that he could give you any legal advice, but perhaps he could help you to understand the significance to your friend's well-being of pursuing legal justice after so many years. You can read many of Dr. Hurd's "Daily Dose of Reason" articles which are archived on his site and even read his books to gain some insight into his orientation and approach. He does hold sessions with clients over the phone and even by email, I believe. My bet is that he would have some very good practical advice to offer. Best wishes to you and your friend. Edited March 6, 2012 by Trebor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninth Doctor Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 I am not planning to act criminally nor am I looking for a way to do so. I know two of the perps and have extensive information about them. What course of action can I morally, ethically, and legally take If you’re not a vigilante and don’t think that going through the legal system will get any results, it sounds to me like you’ve exhausted the options. I don’t have any advice, but, this made me think of a movie scene to share: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulofthesky Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Thanks Trebor for your suggestion. I will definitely check out Dr. Hurd. Ninth Doctor, I appreciate your thoughts behind your link. That would be a nice end to this but somehow I don't think this will be a Hollywood finish. Many thanks for reading and responding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softwareNerd Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 A lawyer might be able to tell you what legal options are open to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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