How to press charges for Child Sexual Molestation? No help :(

[Sam2010]

I tried calling the Atlanta Police Department and Sherriff's office to report child sexual molestation that occured in Atlanta. Both the offices won't file my report and keep redirecting me until I got to a phone number where no one ever picks up.

I moved in 2010 and now am living in another country but i'm a US citizen. I need to file this report, upon contacting the Fulton County DA office, I am told to file this report at the state of residence of the child molester which is Missouri.

My understanding is that the report is filed in the location where the crime occured, which would be atlanta and hence the sheriff's or APD should take the report. Also, When I called Missouri, they told me to contact Atlanta. Where am I supposed to go???

I'm so confused and also frustrated at the ignorance of Atlanta Police Department. Could someone please help me and let me know if there is another office in Georgia I can contact regarding this or how should i go about doing this?

I went through major sexual molestation, including penetration and all the acts involved in adult sexual activities for 7 years of my childhood (from age 11 throughout 17), practically didn't have a childhood. Now I'm 27, and yes it took me a while to realize what happened to me, I was so confused all my life and I want justice now.

Who do I turn towards?

I would really appreciate any responses/help. Thank You.

[retdetsgt]

The problem is, the statute of limitations has probably expired for the crimes to be prosecuted. Some states have extended them for crimes against children, but waiting until you are 27 is too much. Oregon has very liberal limitations and it's 6 years after you turn 18.

Beyond that, I doubt anyone can tell you how to deal with a particular dept.

[retdetsgt]

Just to add, the statute of limitations for felonies is generally about 3 years. The exceptions are murder and treason which have none. As I said, some states have extended them for crimes against children, but not that much.

I'm not unsympathetic, I worked child abuse for a lot of years, but the law is pretty clear on that.

[Big Sexy]

As RDS as already explained, you're more than likely past the statue of limitations when it comes to criminal charges. However, civil charges are another matter.

[mcsap]

We would not take a report over the phone for this. You would have to appear in person.

[cntryboy0531]

Traditionally you report it to the department in which it occured. If it happened within the city of Atlanta, you would need to contact them. I would try to call them back and see if they had a sex crime's unit, and see if you could talk to them about it. Statute of limitations would something that would have to be considered by the agency. Traditionally, if charges can be made, this would be something you would most likely have to sit down and speak to someone with, and not be able to make a report by telephone.

[retdetsgt]

We would not take a report over the phone for this. You would have to appear in person.

IF it were prosecutable, we would contact the agency where he lives and ask them to take a courtesy report. We would not ask him to travel that far to make one.

[Cat_Doc]

Why don't you walk into the nearest US Embassy and see if they can point you in the right direction since you are not in the CONUS?

[marinepilot]

Why don't you walk into the nearest US Embassy and see if they can point you in the right direction since you are not in the CONUS?

Nice catch.

[Cat_Doc]

Nice catch.

Thanks. I assume the check is in the mail?

[marinepilot]

Thanks. I assume the check is in the mail?

Suuuuuuurrrrrrre, and it'll only hurt a little bit when you get it too!!

[Sam2010]

Thankyou very much to everyone who responded! I had already checked the statue of limitations in the state of georgia.
Murder and child molestation have no time limit to press "criminal" charges.

Sueing the child molestor does have time limit but I'm trying to press charges, not trying to sue him for money. I don't want money, I want justice and closure.

What I'm looking for is a way to file a report without having to fly all the way back to USA just for filing the report. I don't mind coming back for the real trial. I also don't mind calling and taking all the phone call charges, or emailing either.

I will try the American Embassy, but If someone could please let me know how I can go about convincing APD to take my report on the phone (incase American Embassy doesn't work), I would really appreciate that.

Thanks!

[Citicop]

The truth is, you might have to come back to file the report in person.

Anyone could call APD, say they were you, and tell them to press charges on someone. If I was going to take a report of a felony to the prosecutor's office, they would laugh me out if I had never met the victim in person. They'll need to meet you, see your ID, get a written statement that they witnessed you sign (for evidence), etc.

[Cat_Doc]

We do audio/video initial interviews all the time for out of state agencies on major felonies. The only time there is an issue is if we have to bring in a forensic expert for a child interview. This is expensive so the other agency has to agree to finance it before we do it. Otherwise, it is a common law enforcement courtesy.

Usually gets the detective a free ride with per diem to testify if it goes to trial so they don't mind doing it all and you are fighting the good fight.

This would preclude the victim from having to be present to make the initial complaint, but...there is no way they could avoid being present for trial.

[Sam2010]

We do audio/video initial interviews all the time for out of state agencies on major felonies. The only time there is an issue is if we have to bring in a forensic expert for a child interview. This is expensive so the other agency has to agree to finance it before we do it. Otherwise, it is a common law enforcement courtesy.

Usually gets the detective a free ride with per diem to testify if it goes to trial so they don't mind doing it all and you are fighting the good fight.

This would preclude the victim from having to be present to make the initial complaint, but...there is no way they could avoid being present for trial.

hi, Thanks for your response but I really didn't understand what you mean up there. Do you mind explaining it a bit more?

Also, I am 27 years old so this won't be a child interview and I will be there for the trial, its just the police report I can't make it for. I need to know first that there's a trial happening for me to leave everything here and go to US.
Thanks.
Sam