I recently had to undergo a polygraph exam for a new job. One question was around sexual assault of woman which made me think of an incident 22 years ago where me and my girl friend of three years had an argument which ended up in me forcing myself on her. The incident took place in my bedroom where we had spent the night having sex, we were both naked at the time and it was more of a dare and not necessarily an attack. Of course we argued about it before I dropped her off at work, but by the evening we were hanging out again. We continued to see each other for a couple more years and remained friends for another six years before I lost contact with her. We never discussed the matter further and it never interred with our relationship.

During the polygraph session the examiner asked for her name which shocked me, I gave it to him but am concerned something could come of this. I would hate for something that happened over 20 years ago affect me now when neither party was really concerned about it at this time or years after.

So, my question is do I have anything to be concerned about?

I cannot say for certain but wouldn't it only matter if the woman herself wanted to press charges? Do you think she still would after all this time?

I'm a little confused - I've had polygraph tests. Nobody ever asked me for the name of sexual partner.

In your mind was this a rape, that somehow triggered the machine?

I still don't understand the "asking for her name" part but, yes, if you reacted to a question about sexual assault this could hurt you.

My girlfriend never had any interest in pursuing this legally so I don' think she would now.

Disclosing the name was actually part of the pre interview so I could answer the actual polygraph question honestly. I was never proud of the incident and never thought of it as rape given the context of the situation which is why I didn't mind answering it. But from a third party perspective asking questions it probably looks worse than was merited.

Well, if they asked you if you have ever committed sexual assault and you got nervous when you thought of this incident, it likely showed up on the polygraph.

I would think the most they could do is not hire you. I know they couldn't press charges in the States unless the woman wanted to... I don't know if that differs in Canada or not.