Rape: The reason it's under-reported

A recent report published on thisiscornwall.co.uk highlighted the shocking fact that in 2009 alone over 300 rapes and sexual assaults were reported to Cornwall and Devon police. Even more distressing is the statement by Maggie Parks, director at the women's rape and sexual abuse centre in Bodmin, who claimed 85% of those raped or sexually assaulted never report the crime. A figure I have no trouble believing. This would bring the actual figure to somewhere near a breathtaking 2,000.

A police representative admitted ‘We accept rape and sexual assault are very under-reported crimes’ and went on to say they are setting up two more centres (to add to one existing in Plymouth) where victims ‘can come and be seen by a doctor, deal with police and be put in touch with counselling services’. All very well. But what of those that do get reported, but never conclude in conviction? A proportion, we have to sadly admit, must be false accusation, but many more are due to lack of evidence.

A recent rape case in Bolton highlights the inexplicable way some courts deal with such cases. The case was thrown out because the alleged female victim had disclosed sexual fantasies of group sex during a private msn webchat, which were later produced at court. When she finally agreed to meet the man, admitting they had planned to have sex, she was in fact met by 5 men, some of whom then allegedly raped her, which they denied.

I’m not sure how the courts can defend their decision based on the private fantasies of the woman. A fantasy is just that – fantasy. Adults, men and women are free to have as many weird and wonderful sexual fantasies and desires as they like without it denying them their right to say no at any point during any sexual activity.

This ideal harps back to the archaic opinion that women who dress too provocatively, or ‘lead men on’ should accept consequences as severe as rape, and be made to feel ashamed that they brought it on themselves. If we really want to address the problems surrounding sexual abuse and rape of men, women and children, it is not only the police that need to address themselves and their procedures. If more of that 15% brought to the police’s attention actually resulted in conviction, victims would be far more prepared to come forward.

Criminal Justice - Drunk on Duty

As highlighted by this superb article by Zoe Williams, the recent case of a rape victim receiving only 75% of the usual compensation given to rape victims highlights the incompetency of our justice system to understand that rape is rape. There is no grey area when it comes to drugging someone and raping them. Frankly the 100% £11, 000 is mildly insulting as it is, bearing in mind there is 25 levels of criminal compensation for which they pay out from £1,000 to £250,000.

As the victim herself said, it is not a crime to drink- it is a crime to rape.

This brings to mind many a debate on CIF where the odd hound dog trolls along with a 'who's in the wrong' list. According to such men, women on a night out should be prepared to expect unwanted attention if she wears something revealing. So ladies - no short skirts if you don't want to be raped, please. Or if a girl's gotten so pissed she can't be 100% that the guy who bought her drink didn't drug it, well, that chick's just glutton for punishment eh.

Society really needs to wind it's neck in when it comes to rape. No woman deserves this violation to her human rights. The vast majority of cases go un-reported, or un-solved. For any justice system to give less weight to such cases when alcohol's been consumed is a disgrace.