WOW! After seeing the poll results, I'm glad mine didn't make it to court. Like so many others, mine was just mysteriously gone. No evidence left. Nothing. No rapist in jail. He actually still lives on the same moutain that I do which makes me sick! I just this year decided to come forward and tell my story. Most people did not know and a few months ago my survivor story was published on an abuse site. I was glad to see how much help it gave women in my same situation. I am sad that he was never put in jail because after speaking with police (who didn't care) I learned that at least 2 other women had reported a similar experience with the same man I did. They also reported having bite marks, I mean actual bite marks. That was his thing I guess. I still have a scar under my breast from one of his bites. I hate that hes still out there. He did get a pretty rough beating though.

Yes I was abused and went to court I kind of got justice, he only did six years not really fair now he lives 20min away from me! He was my grandfather to.

not really sure if what I experienced can be labeled as abuse

When I was 14, my boyfriend (who was 15) raped me. Possibly only abused. It wouldn't go in, so he stopped. I've told a few close friends, but, I was his first. He's done it to at least one other girl. She didn't press charge either. I half wish I did, but it was only my word against his.

I was sexually harassed on a daily basis by classmates when I was in 8th grade (12-13). I was told that I was going to be raped, had sexually explicit comments made at me every day, and was made to live my life in fear, because how is a 12 year old supposed to know that all the sexual abuse talk is just talk? Especially since earlier that year, I had started identifying as asexual, and had just come out of an extremely sheltered private school. I wish I had told anyone, rather than acting out in violence against myself and developing my eating disorder. I don't know if anything would have been done by the school, but maybe my parents would have pulled me out while there was still a shred of my original happy, optimistic personality left.

I was also raped by my ex-husband. I did not recognize either time for rape until recently - I had convinced myself that he was playing around, and things had gone too far, and that he didn't realize how upset it had made me. As though me crying and screaming at him to stop and trying to shove him off of me was just a joke, or was too subtle for him to understand. It happened years ago, so no possible way to take him to court... and honestly, I don't think he thought of what he did as rape. I think he thought he was just being dominant and aggressive, and since I had multiple orgasms, I must have been turned on.

what i went through wasnt physical abuse! it was more like when i had to go to his house he would have porn on to watch and would smoke weed and ask if i wanted any and would ask me questions like do i shave down there. i was 12! so no i didnt take it to court i was scared my fam would hate me but i hate that i didnt bc he did the same to another family friend too! but this can not be charged in court so she couldnt do anything too!

I have been through this and chose not to go to court. I wouldn't say I'm happy with my decision. I would have liked to. My family had already been through enough with my sibling and it would have put too much on their shoulders..

It's taken me 10 years to become strong enough to talk about what happened. I don't think I'm strong enough to face him, though. I'm ashamed that I haven't pressed charges and taken him to court, but I just don't think I could handle seeing the face from my nightmares again.

Depressing topic. I would like to thank those who stand up and take their attackers to court, making the world safer for others. It takes a lot of courage to do that

For me, it came down to "I distrust the legal system" more than I hate my rapist. I was a sex worker at the time and even though I didn't get raped in that context that's enough for the tables to turn on me quickly.

By the time most people stop blaming themselves for what happened, its too late

I'm not sure if my experience applies. When I was 11 a strange man tried grabbing me and pulling me into his car. He did assault me before I got away, and I reported it to police, but I never heard back. They said he was most likely stalking me for some time, but had no other information. I found his picture in a group of mugshots and everything. It's sad that they didn't follow up with me on what was going on.

Another time I was abused and didn't press charges. I was young and figured that because I was intimately interested in him prior to the assault, that my story wouldn't be believed in court. It's sad, but I've healed and learned that I need to speak up no matter what.

I really feel for all of you. Your stories are heartbreaking.

I have been abused and not gone to court and am disapointed I didn't do it

I haven't been raped or sexually abused, but if I ever am I'd most likely take him/her to court.

I have been abused and not gone to court and am disapointed I didn't do it