u/Stick_Express

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Mods, I hope this is allowed but please remove if not.

I was sexually assaulted by someone I considered to be a good friend. We are both involved in the same music group.

I asked him to give me space (a few months) after the incident and he agreed reluctantly to stay away until the new year.

The manager of the group said he needed "his pal" to stay and I could take it or leave it. He was completely unsupportive, even when I said that it was a reportable assault. He said it's my word against the abuser, but the abuser admitted it to me in writing.

I've left the group now for my own safety and sanity without a word to anyone.

I'm traumatised because of the assault, realising my good friend is a monster, and the lack of support from the group leader.

I loved being part of the group and now the abuser gets to stay. I was one of only two women in it.

Leader said the rest of the group (men) won't give a toss what happened.

I'm considering reporting the assault, but I have teenagers, so I don't want it going to court.

I might put it on file in case he does it to someone else.

Should I warn the other woman in the group? They're all going to wonder why I left and I got on well with the other members. Should I tell people or just go quietly, cut my losses and focus on my healing?

In business 15 years and 30 years in my industry. I design house extensions. I designed a large extension for a client.

They paid a non-refundable survey fee and a drawing deposit. I sent the drawings to them and requested the balance payment for the drawings. I sent 2 design options. They said option 2 wasn't different enough from option 1. I said it wasn't feasible to do two very different options that would have met the brief. I offered to meet them to rectify it (I always do a follow up meeting anyway to go though the design with clients). I said that I would change anything they weren't happy with.

They said they didn't want to proceed any further with my services and demanded a full refund of their deposit and the cost of the initial survey visit. They're also demanding I make a donation to a named charity.

I had gone above and beyond for them in the design work and included lots of special features that they requested. I went way over time also as it was an extensive project. Two fellow professionals said my work was objectively excellent and bang on brief.

I was willing to let them keep and use the drawings and waive the balance owed.

I've never had a client refuse to attend a meeting, refuse to pay the balance, or demand a refund.

They're now threatening small claims court? Should I just settle?

I have solicitor friends willing to help, but none of them are familiar with small claims.