A man has opened up about living in 'constant fear' after he was accused of rape leaving him too afraid to leave the house, even though he was never charged and the allegation was dropped.
Curtis Gibbins, 24 from Swansea, told Wales Online his life completely changed the day he received a call from police saying someone had accused of rape.
He was never arrested or charged and the woman who made the allegation later withdrew her statement, however, he says he has still lost friends and now doesn't even feel able to go out and was left feeling suicidal.
He told the Wales Online: "In February this year, I had a call from the police to say that someone had said I raped them. I was out with my friends at the time and it put a massive downer on the night, I felt like nothing.
"Something about it just scared me. All that was going through my head was why would someone do this."
Gibbins said that he was relieved when he found out the allegation had been dropped but was left wondering why someone would want to do that to him. He said the claims lead to him losing friends.
"I've still got this burden that other people still believe that I've done it," he said.
"I was accused of something so horrific and horrible, it's life changing. I've lost a lot of friends, I've even lost my best friend that I've known for 12 years.
"I've lost many people in my life because of this and only my true friends have stuck by my side. I thank them all for that. I suffer with depression and anxiety but this has pushed me over the edge, I was feeling suicidal. I'm not saying I'm perfect but I'm a nice person and I get on with a lot of people."
As a result of the allegation he says he no longer enjoys socialising, describing himself as an 'empty shell'.
"I don't even talk to my parents or grandparents much - it's very rare I visit my grandparents and that's not fair on them," he added.
He also says that he has received threats in the past, meaning that he is too worried to leave his house.
He said: "I'm still afraid to walk through the city centre on my own and I don't like catching buses, it's a massive negative feeling towards me now.
"My friends ask me to go out but I'm very isolated, I've got this constant fear on my back that I'm going to run into someone and something is going to be said.
"I've lost my job and my self-esteem has gone down. I also can't talk to women anymore.
"I can't do the things that I enjoyed doing, I've isolated myself, it's not healthy. I'm going to therapy sessions weekly to help with my anxiety and depression."
He told the paper that he doesn't want his experience to put people off reporting rape or sexual crimes, adding: "I don't want people who have been raped to feel as if they can't speak out.
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"If you are someone who has been affected by rape or sexual abuse then don't keep it locked up, please speak to someone about it."
South Wales Police told Wales Online: "An allegation of sexual assault was withdrawn by the reporting person and the matter has now been finalised."
Rape Crisis England & Wales is one of the many national organisations offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
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The helpline is on 0808 802 9999 (12pm-2.30pm and 7pm-9.30pm) or see rapecrisis.org.uk.
Source: Wales Online
Featured Image Credit: Media WalesTopics: Police, UK News, News, crime, Wales