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Criminal Charges
Criminal Charges Criminal charges can still be pursued. No matter how long ago the assault occurred. If the abuse occurred here in Alberta you pursue the charges here. If it occurred in another province you would pursue it there. For more information you can contact the Edmonton City Police at 421-3333 and ask Sex Crimes.
Criminal charges require that the victim report the sexual assault to the police. The police will then do an investigation to determine if charges will be laid. If they determine that there is enough evidence to lay a charge then they will do so, and the case will then go to the Crown Prosecutor to be prosecuted before the courts.
If the case does go to court there are two important things to remember. First, as the victim of the assault you are a witness for the Crown. They are not your lawyer and therefore, you do not have your own lawyer. Second the guilt of the offender is determined using the standard that they must be found guilty 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. Just because the offender is found not guilty does not mean that the victim was not believed, but rather that there was not enough evidence to convict.
