Is it possible to start a rape case if you changed your mind halfway through but didn't say anything or try to push him away?

[Is it possible to start a rape case if you changed your mind halfway through but didn’t say anything or try to push him away?]

This is absolutely sexual assault, and you deserve to be able to pursue this as a case. The US, assuming that’s where you are, has many different sexual assault laws, so it is hard for me to give you a blanket response. What charges could be brought against the rapist, if any, would depend on where you live and what the laws look like there. The good news is that many laws include the use of coercion–so if you were afraid to say no for any reason. ‘Freezing’ is also a well known reaction to sexual assault, and anyone taking a statement from you should be aware of that. That said, it can be very difficult to make a report to the police, or to accelerate your case beyond that point. I mean that both emotionally, and logistically. My advice would be to talk to a survivor advocate or rape crisis counselor in your area who will know the laws there and better help you decide whether to make your report. If you are not sure where to start, I have a list of resources people have sent in, that might narrow it down. Please let me know if I can help you at all.

ETA:

I have gotten several messages about this, so I want to clarify a few things.

Any instance of sexual contact or activity without consent is sexual assault. Whether a legal case can be built or not is a separate issue. I did not have any additional information aside from which was provided in this question. Some reasons I say there that the police may be able to charge him are:

Coercion. If you have reason to fear physical or emotional consequences for revoking your consent, this is coercion. Age. I get a lot of questions from people who are underage, and I can’t assume statutory rape laws do not apply here. Her reaction. All I know is that she did not push him, and she didn’t verbally ask him to stop. There are many other ways in which a person may indicate a change in their willingness to participate. Your partner could: stop responding in a positive way i.e. less movement, less noises, 'freeze’ which is a common reaction to rape. Is your partner limp, quiet, do they look uncomfortable, or afraid? Consent is not only verbal, and it does not only occur at the beginning of an encounter. It is an ongoing process, and if you are having sex with someone, it is your responsibility to ensure they are consenting all the way through.

If this person decides to make a report, and the police think they have enough evidence to proceed, then obviously something occurred which makes them think that. Law enforcement is really not in the business of locking up every person ever accused of rape. In fact, they rarely lock them up at all. So I have zero qualms about the advice I gave this person. I am not at all concerned about 'ruining someone’s life,’ as some of the messages I received suggested. If this person reports, and the police do not think they can make a case, then nothing will happen to the guy. His life is in no way ruined.