There is what is called a Statute of Limitations.

A statute of limitation is a law which forbids prosecutors from charging someone with a crime that was committed more than a specified number of years ago. The general purpose of statutes of limitation is to make sure convictions occur only upon evidence (physical or eyewitness) that has not deteriorated with time.

There are crimes that DO NOT have a statute of limitation. However, there are crimes that go cold with time. A cold case involves a crime that has been reported but the evidence available prevent prosecution.

When a crime is committed and immediately reported, the evidence, testimony and witnesses are readily available without time effecting their validity. Photos and examination provide real-time evidence of bruising or damage, foot, tire and fingerprints are not lost in chaos.
You have a pristine crime scene.

The obligation of the victim to report the crime hinges on how much the victim wants the case handled. Not immediately reporting the crime suggests that the crime is not that important to the victim (from a reasoning perspective).

I once had a weed eater stolen while I was inside getting a drink. I came out and it was gone. I didn't report it because it would have been a waste of time and would have diverted the police that responded from other calls that might be something of an emergency. If I had heard about other yard tools being stolen in the area, I might have reported it because a trend could indicated a theft ring and even tho I probably wouldn't get my weed eater back, it might help the police bust the theft ring.

If the crime is severe and there is a chance for retaliation if I report it. I would report it immediately and start making preparations to move or leave the area for my own safety. Yes, I would flee. But I would still report the crime.
If I couldn't flee, I would make preparations to fight.
This is called "fight or flight" and people have been doing that since history began.

Legally, I am not obligated to report a crime that is not a felony. As a citizen, I am obligated to report a felony. So if I see a someone murder someone, I am obligated to report it. Obviously you can't report your own murder but anything else, if you are able, needs to be reported immediately.
This is because if it can happen to me it could happen to one of my fellow citizens.
We are civilized, civilization uses a policing force to enforce the laws of society.

Joy is a Democrat she runs down Trump every chance she gets ! I don't like the View. All are Librals except one conservative woman, she usually has to defend
the good the President is doing.

So Right !!

The Democrats work day and night trying to find. things to block , what ever Trump does.

In 2002 Brian Banks was accused by Wanetta Gibson of rape. He was convicted and spent the next 5 years in prison. From 2007 until 2012 he was sentenced to home arrest. Wanetta Gibson sued the school district and won $1.5 million. A private investigator secretly recorded (audio and video) a conversation where Wanetta Gibson admitted Brian Banks didn't rape her.

State Criminal Statutes of Limitations prevents the state of California from prosecuting Ms. Gibson. She is guilty of lying to the state to initiate the initial arrest, lying in a court of law during prosecution and defrauded the State of California out of $1.5 million of which she has spent most of.

Why can a man be arrested and tried for sexual assault 30 years later yet a woman lies about rape, ruins a mans life, defrauds the state and then walk away?

Fortunately, a movie is being made about this case and will first show in Los Angeles. Then it will show across the country. At least she will be be socially held accountable by the reputation it will give her (unless she moves and changes her name). Finding employment or a boyfriend will be near impossible. A small price to pay for what she has done.

The quote was "obligation as a citizen."
Yeah, as a "citizen" it is an "obligation" to report a crime.
As a human being, female, male, whatever, no, not really.


Sure.
It's just as "understandable" to have your motives questioned as to why you "really" left the battle, left the battle for another day, as well as question everything else.

I think it's just as much your "obligation as a citizen" to doubt and question allegations fed to you via the media as it is to report crimes against you or that you witness.