Very Shaken up

Hi everyone,

About 20 mins ago I called the police because I heard a woman screaming "Don't touch me, I don't want to have sex with you." Then I heard the sound of a door shutting and complete silence. I jumped up and dialed 999. I told them where I thought it was happening (I could only assume it was the alleged brothel next door). I asked them to please not come and talk to me because I was scared that those men might come after me if they knew that it was me who called. I'm very shaken up right now and I was made to feel almost a bit bad for reporting the crime? The people on the phone seemed so cold and angry when I spoke to them. My hands are literally shaking right now.

Just wanted to type this out, I feel a bit better.

If there is nothing "wrong" to be found there, will I get into some kind of trouble? Will the fact that they took down my name, address, and number be some kind of negative? Immigration wise it will not do any harm right?

Sorry for the probably dumb questions but they just now snuck into my head.

Thanks for reading this, you guys are so awesome!

I am really sorry that you are experiencing such a negative living environment. I hope what you think is / was happening is not true, but it sounds like it's really scary. You are brave to stand up for what you think is right.

As far as I am concerned, and in my opinion, you reported in good faith that you think a crime is being committed and that in that case it is an emergency, so calling 999 is the right thing to do, but I understand you don't feel safe and it is awful that the emergency services are not being empathetic.

http://www.bradford.gov.uk/bmdc/public_order_justice_and_rights/crime_and_law_enforcement/

Where is your partner? Are you home alone? Could you meet him outside the area? Were you given a case number to follow up? Could you contact the non emergency number to identify support available to you, as you suspect next door is a brothel and you are concerned for your own safety?

Bradford Women's Aid may be able to advise you:
http://www.bradfordwomensaid.org/

Please let us know how you get on.

Please heed what mapleleafgirl is telling you --- also, thank goodness you stepped up and didn't sit back.  So many people understandably don't want to get involved.  But my feeling is this, if it were me or a loved one, I would hope someone would call the authorities.

Take care ~

Maple thanks so much for always being there for my rants .

My partner is with me as is my dog so I'm okay.

I was given a follow up reference number but I have no clue of where I should call to see what happened. I suspect that nothing was done. But I couldn't bare to think that I heard a woman possibly being raped and I did nothing about it. So I had to call.

What I found very rude was that I was being transfered from one number to another and whenever I'd ask a question they'd transfer me back. So when I asked for them to please not have the police come over to my house after, the woman got angry and said "you know you don't have to keep calling back" I found that to be so mean.

Thanks for providing me with those links.

Please heed what mapleleafgirl is telling you --- also, thank goodness you stepped up and didn't sit back.  So many people understandably don't want to get involved.  But my feeling is this, if it were me or a loved one, I would hope someone would call the authorities.

Take care ~

That makes me feel a lot better DC. I completely agree with you. That's what I thought at that very moment when I did call.

Absolutely no worries at all. What you are experiencing is awful. I agree with what DC girl says.

Call the non emergency number for follow up and that includes highlighting the concerns for your safety and any support available. Perhaps leaving the house right now is the best thing you can do for yourself to remove yourself with you and your dog from the unsafe environment in the immediate situation.

I am sorry in such a situation of extreme heightened stress you were treated so callously. Perhaps if you feel strongly enough about it, create a log of your experience and make a formal complaint once you feel you are in a safe position, such as when you are moved to Leeds.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/ThePolice/DG_182255

This may be a useful resource as well:

http://www.bradford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/9151CB2B-1CCF-46AF-86F0-170FE6F43EA0/0/DomesticAbuseDirectoryofServices.pdf

Please let us know how you are and if you are OK.

I am really sorry you went through this.  I think you said you were moving soon, so I hope that is true.  I've not always had the best experience with the police here in York especially when we lived in a bad area here, but do follow up.  Sometimes it is only one person having a bad day who picks up the phone.  Or sometimes there is a community meet and greet for your local beat cops.  Maybe you could attend one of those and begin to build up a relationship with them until you leave.  Where we live now, the patrol officers meet monthly with the community, which is nice.

Hey guys,

After the incident, my husband and I decided to leave so we took our dog for a long long walk. We've come back now and the street seems a bit quieter and my dog is all tired out yay. Thanks for all your help and advice I appreciate it enormously!!

Hey guys,

After the incident, my husband and I decided to leave so we took our dog for a long long walk. We've come back now and the street seems a bit quieter and my dog is all tired out yay. Thanks for all your help and advice I appreciate it enormously!!

Sounds like things are better - how are you feeling today about it all?

Sounds like things are better - how are you feeling today about it all?

thanks for asking. I feel so much better today.  flat hunting at the moment.

thanks for asking. I feel so much better today.  flat hunting at the moment.

Yay!  Onward to a better, healthier, and more peaceful living environment!

Hubby and I were in Headingley yesterday hitting the charity shops.  He thought it was too crowded, but me being from the big city thought it was fun and vibrant, and clean (unlike trash-strewn parts of Bradford I've seen).  It's probably a bit noisy at night, but again if you're someone who is used to big city noise it probably won't bother you too much.

Glad to hear you're in better spirits - happy flat hunting! 

I called and reported a possible jumper from a bridge near me, which when they arrived the girl was gone.  It didn't affect my citizenship or anything. 

For future reference, you don't have to provide your personal details when you call to report a crime, unless you want to go on record as a witness.  If you are just asking the police to respond quickly to prevent a crime or help the victim, simply say that you'd prefer to remain anonymous.  They should be OK with that...I think they're required to ask, but you certainly are not required to answer.