Statutory rape

[Random guy]

Recently my girlfriend told me she was raped 4 years ago. I asked for the story and the short version is things got a little out of hand at his place, she said no, he pulled a knife and after being cut a few times she stopped resisting out of fear for her life. She never went to the cops and hasn't even told her parents. She barely sleeps or eats and says she continues to have nightmares occasionally even now. Needless to say she hasn't gotten professional help either (the only reason I found out was because I always pestered her about her eating and sleeping habits). The guy in question was 18 at the time and she 15. I didn't get his name or where he lives but she let slip me may be "out of the country". As there's not a lot of physical evidence except a few scars and the rape trauma syndome that she seems to be suffering from (but I'm no expert) is there anyway she could still have a case against the guy? (she still doesn't want to "deal with it" that way so I'm doing this for my own knowledge for the time being until she wants to pursue it.) I'm pretty worried and would like to help her but she "doesn't want people to know" and "doesn't want help". Any feedback would be very appreciated.

[retdetsgt]

The sad thing is, rape victims sometimes feel a stigma that isn't there. She definitely needs counseling, no doubt about that. You can't make her, but maybe continuing to talk to her in a kind, gentle way, you might be able to convince her that she can do without her family finding out and it could return her to a normal life.

Bear in mind, the first therapist she sees may not be the best fit. I had to go to therapy for PTSD and it took meeting several before I found one I was comfortable with.

If the guy is out of the country, it would be hard to prosecute, but it can still be a go.

[Random guy]

Ok, thanks for the advise. I'll try to continue to help in any way I can, even if its only talking with her about it.

[mcsap]

Sexual assault laws vary by state , mine requires an age difference of 4 of more years ( 48 months) to get the enhanced child sexual assault. 18 - 15 wouldn't work. That wouldn't preclude the normal sexual assault charges though.

[DeltaV]

Statutory rape is pretty much something that deals with consensual sex between two people when one is of age and the other is not. Something like what you described would be classified as rape no matter what the age difference just because of the force used. Legally I'm not aware of any state that has a statute of limitations less than four years for such severe a crime, however even though it technically could be prosecuted doesn't necessarily mean that it would be. That's something that your local authorities would have to decide based on whatever evidence that they develop.