Rape victim policy question..

[Andross]

Is there any kind of policy for a rape victim that pardons him/her of any illegal activity such as drugs or alcohol when the rape occured?

For example, lets say an underage girl was out drinking at a party, and she was forcibly raped, and she doesn't want to go to the authorities because shes afraid of getting in trouble for drinking.

The victim is from illinois, if state law has anything to do with it.

[HighwayMan]

I seriously doubt that the behavior of the victim would come into play at all, in other words I don't see any prosecutor going after a rape victim because she was doing something she shouldn't have been.

There's no pardon for illegal activity, but I just can't see it happening.

[Blue Meanie]

Originally Posted by Andross

Is there any kind of policy for a rape victim that pardons him/her of any illegal activity such as drugs or alcohol when the rape occured?

For example, lets say an underage girl was out drinking at a party, and she was forcibly raped, and she doesn't want to go to the authorities because shes afraid of getting in trouble for drinking.

The victim is from illinois, if state law has anything to do with it.

She won't get into trouble for drinking or doing drugs...But depending on the type of drugs or quantity of alcohol it may affect her credibility as a witness. Tell your friend to go to a rape crisis center...they will help her through this terrible situation.

[cyjeff]

I agree and will go one step further.

That person being under the influence of an illegal substance does not excuse the rapist either.

[Andross]

thanks, its actually my girlfriends friends best friend... so i cant really do much, i'm just trying to be helpful and provide them with as much information as i can.

[IsabellaSoriano]

Originally Posted by Andross

thanks, its actually my girlfriends friends best friend... so i cant really do much, i'm just trying to be helpful and provide them with as much information as i can.

you need to really encourage her to report it. it does her no good to not get the help she needs.

[CdwJava]

Originally Posted by Andross

Is there any kind of policy for a rape victim that pardons him/her of any illegal activity such as drugs or alcohol when the rape occured?

For example, lets say an underage girl was out drinking at a party, and she was forcibly raped, and she doesn't want to go to the authorities because shes afraid of getting in trouble for drinking.

The victim is from illinois, if state law has anything to do with it.

If all she had been doing was drinking, she really has nothing to fear. While the defense would certainly play it up, the state is almost certainly not going to charge her for underage drinking when she was raped! Any DA that did that could count on losing the next election!

She needs to report this assault to the police immediately! The longer she waits, the less likely a prosecution - much less a conviction - will occur.

- Carl