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News
Three-quarters of rape survivors say the police response harmed their mental health
By Amy Beecham
2 years ago
2 min read
In a landmark new survey of rape and sexual assault survivors, women described feeling more traumatised by dealing with the police than they had been by the original rape.
Following the largest-ever survey of rape and sexual assault survivors in England and Wales, three-quarters of respondents have said that their mental health was damaged “as a direct result of what police did, or failed to do, in their case”.
As part of the Home Office-funded survey, women described feeling more traumatised by their experience with the police than they had been by the original rape, with one writing: “I am more afraid of the police than being raped again.” Countless respondents also shared that their rapist went on to sexually offend again against them and/or others because police did not take their report seriously. Only 14% of respondents said they felt safer as a result of what the police did, while 39% said they felt less safe.
Credit: Getty
The survey, carried out by City, University of London as part of the police and Crown Prosecution Service’s Operation Soteria Bluestone, also heard from 190 survivors who chose not to report to the police, most commonly because they felt ashamed, embarrassed and feared they wouldn’t be believed. Of those who did go to the police, only half felt officers were respectful and kind, while 31% said they did not always feel safe with officers.
In turn, more than half of respondents said they had lost trust in the police because of their response, while 56% of respondents said they would be unlikely to report any future rapes. “I can confidently say I will never be contacting the police for help again,” wrote one.
Earlier this year, a report from Rape Crisis England and Wales suggested that long delays and a huge increase in the rescheduling of rape trials were also having a “disastrous impact” on the mental health of victims and survivors. In response, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said that the government is committed to delivering “real improvements” in the criminal justice system’s response to rape. However, what this survey makes clear is that there is still much more to be done to better and more consistently protect victims of sexual assault.
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Sarah Crew, a chief constable who is the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead on rape, said that the findings would “form a significant part in how policing will improve their response to rape and sexual offences”. Police forces were welcoming scrutiny, she told The Guardian. “This is not easy, but it is vital. We are determined to do better for victims.”
The 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line can be reached for free by calling 0808 500 2222 or visiting the Rape Crisis England & Wales website. If you need emergency help, call 999.
Images: Getty
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