On say so, or evidence? Suppose that's for the court, jury and judge to decipher.
On the one hand I understand why folk wonder why victims don't come forward for years (or decades) after an alleged event, however on the other hand I can totally see why, for various reasons, folk don't come forward straight away.
On a different but linked subject, I'm not sure I'd be in favour of a stature of limitations as other countries have.
Husband: Did you hear about Mike Jones from no. 18? Apparently he's just been done for assaulting a woman in the park last week. Police have asked for others to come forward if they have any information.
Wife: (pause) MMmmm, can't say I'm totally surprised.
Husband: Eh, what makes you say that? I always thought he seemed a decent enough bloke.
Wife: Remember that time you were away at a conference in Germany? I was cleaning out the garage with the main door open. He walked in. I felt uncomfortable, especially with the way he was talking to me, so I asked him to leave. He pinned me against the garage wall and tried to, well, you know. I think he only stopped because a delivery van drew up close by and the driver might have seen what was happening.
Husband: What? Eh?!? Why did you never tell me? The Germany conference was at least 15 years ago. I would have confronted him!
Wife: And that's partly why I said nothing. I didn't want you getting into trouble, your career was on the up. And I just didn't want it all getting dragged up at the time. The kids were young, your dad was ill, we had enough on our plates. But now I know this has happened, I'm going to go to the police to tell them what he did to me. There might be other women he's done this to, and to a worse degree than happened to me.
What sort of abusive coercive husband makes his wife clean the garage out?
