Sexually Abused at School PTSD.

[Joolia95]

This post is hard to write as I have been silent for 20 years. When I was 10 years old I was sexually abused at school by a teacher. I never told anyone because I was scared that no one would believe me.

I don't want to be silent anymore I want to tell my story so others too feel that they have a voice.
I have suffered during my adulthood with relationships, jobs and trusting other people
and as time goes on I believe it is all because I was sexually abused.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you get help and did you get lawyers involved.
So much has been taken from me I want justice.

[Joolia95]

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear that.
Please know that you are not alone. There is help out there and people are willing to help.

[Joolia95]

Hello,

I am sorry for what you have been through that must have been so traumatic.
Hard to believe that there is such evil in the world.

I have discussed the abuse with my GP but have not made a report to the police yet as I am scared.

If you don't mind sharing how did you make the report?
What happened after?
I am afraid of what will happen whether I would be believed or not.

[Knuckleberry_Poe]

Hi Jillian 95. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply. To answer your question about reporting the abuse. I initially attended a psychologist after suffering severe nightmares. Then I was put on to a group called CASA. Centre Against Sexual Assault. Where I received specific counseling for my trauma. From there I was given a phone number for a specific Police branch SOCIT Sexual offences child abuse investigation team.
I rang them and told them I wanted to report numerous historical offences against me.

In some ways I was treated well by the police. In the case of what happened to me in Ag College the female detective basically told me she'd heard worse cases of assault than mine. And except for one specific incident she didn't think it was sexual assaults she thought it was physical assault and sexual harrassment. I vigorously disagreed with her.
None of the cases ever went to court.
Both schools let me down by ignoring what was happening right in front of their faces.
So I can honestly say the justice system was a mixed bag, both good and bad.

[Knuckleberry_Poe]

Hi Joolia95
Following on from my previous response. Sorry for the misspelling of your name.
Don't be scared of reporting. In the case of the SOCIIT team in Victoria Police, I was treated very well. They investigated every angle they could and believed me. Unfortunately they couldn't categorise what happened to me as child sexual abuse, or even sexual assault. It was termed indecent assault of a minor. My memory of the reason why is a bit fuzzy and the legal terminology for sexual acts is always changing. By today's laws it would be sexual assault of a minor.
The public prosecutors wouldn't charge my abuser or take him to court because I was the only complainant in a historical case. My allegations could not be verified by anyone else.
The Vic Police were very good in dealing with me. I went to my first initial meeting with a detective with my CASA counselor. Every other interview I handled on my own.

I would suggest taking a support person with you. If you are in counseling through a sexual assault victims group they usually organise something for you.
I know what I've answered may seem scary and confusing but it's only because I had multiple reports to make, in two different States. Vic and Qld.
Take your time in deciding. You will know when it's right for you.
If your abuse was institutional, like at school there is the Royal Commission. U spoke to a magistrate over the phone. Also there is a foundation called KNOW MORE Which may be able to give you more advice.

[Joolia95]

Hey Knuckleberry,

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

I have reported it to the SANO task force here in VIC. I reported it after speaking to my Therapist. I was really scared to do it but something deep down in me forced me to. I didn't want to be silent anymore! Almost felt like the abuser was winning.

My abuse happened at an institution.  Now I am scared because it seems they treat cases differently as there is way worse out there than what happened to me. This really saddens me to know that there are such sick individuals living among us. I was always so afraid to report it incase the Police wouldn't believe me.

I have a lawyer who is dealing with my case and she has been very supportive I guess that helps alot.

At the have completed a statement for SANO now I'm waiting to hear back from them and see what happens next.

I can't believe that the person was never charged. Our justice system is shit.

How are you doing now?

In the end what ended up happening with your case?
Did you get any response from the school?

[Knuckleberry_Poe]

Hey Joolia95. I'm glad that you found the courage to report.
In my case, I haven't had a response from either the high school or Ag college.
I couldn't get justice through the criminal courts.
So I've tried to get justice through the civil courts.
I don't think any of the people who hurt me will be charged for what they did to me. But I suspect that they have hurt others too, so maybe the Police will get them another way.