What might contribute to a victim's decision not to report an assault immediately?

A victim's decision not to report an assault immediately can be significantly influenced by feelings of blame or judgment stemming from questions posed by law enforcement. Many victims fear that they will be held responsible for the assault or face skepticism regarding their experience. This feeling can create barriers to coming forward, as the victim may worry about being re-traumatized during the questioning process or doubting the support they would receive from law enforcement.

In contrast, factors such as the availability of legal assistance, support from friends and family, or previous positive experiences with police reports can generally encourage victims to report incidents. Thus, while these other elements might contribute to a victim’s sense of agency or encouragement, the presence of blame in questioning represents a more complex emotional and psychological barrier that can make a victim hesitant to come forward immediately.