i once walked into that building to report a rape. i was told yes, i was raped, however because i didn't fight back nor was i incapacitated that it would be rape in the 2nd degree and could no longer press charges. this seems like a fire in the 2nd or perhaps 3rd degree at best. https://twitter.com/search4swag/status/1308984891921567744

yes, there are different degrees of rape. first degree rape requires you fight back (even if your life is in danger) or for you to be incapacitated (drugged/knocked out). the likelihood of getting a first degree rape charge and the victim still being alive is slim.

there is a very short window on the statute of limitations for anything that isn't rape in the first degree or if you were not a minor at the time of the assault. you have three years to report in missouri.

i attempted to report the rape when i did because someone had given me definitive proof of my assault and i genuinely thought i had a legal obligation to report a violent crime if i had proof. also i had learned of other victims.

when i arrived at the police headquarters i waited over two hours to be seen by a sex crimes detective who told me i could not have my lawyer present while i was interviewed. i was told i could have a victim advocate present however no one was available.

the entire floor i was on was empty. dead. i gave my statement, alone, to a stranger, without any advocate, not knowing how the law worked or what i was supposed to do. i turned over the evidence i was in possession of (which suggested i was not the only one). told the truth.

the detective called me later (not my lawyer), and told me it was rape in the second degree, and therefore criminal charges would not be brought. they didn't even tell me it wasn't rape. it was rape. it just wasn't something they would pursue or kick to the d.a. be investigated.

this system really does not care about survivors of sexual assault. we are statistics that look bad on paper so we are dissuaded from reporting. if we do report really unpleasant things happen to us. police & courts really don't care unless a woman is dead. and even then

support black survivors. https://www.gofundme.com/f/black-survivors-healing-fund