In 1992 Ms X a housewife and mother was subjected to a series of violent rapes by a neighbour. His intimidation included threats she’d lose her children and so she did not tell anybody about the rapes for months. When she told her husband he suffered a nervous breakdown. Ms X finally informed the police in June 1993. The CPS refused to prosecute because of the delay in reporting. Her solicitor advised her that the delay meant there is no point in applying for criminal injuries compensation. But encouraged by WAR she applied in 1995 and was awarded £10,000. An earlier High Court precedent was set in March 1995 ruling that a woman who had delayed six weeks before reporting was entitled to compensation, and that the CICB should take account of the fact that the traumatic effects of an assault may prevent rape survivors from reporting it for some time.
