Why Women Don’t Report Crimes

I’ve long been hearing about the UK legal service not taking violent sexual crimes against women seriously, but until I’ve been a part of a case I’ve never fully understood how badly victims really are treated.

You’ll regularly see the police sharing posters about how many rapes take place compared to how many get reported, but the real fact is, the rapes go un-reported due to lack of care or support that victims are given by the police and criminal justice agencies when they do. 

Almost A DECADE ago a close friend of mine was raped whilst she slept, she reported it to police the very next day but is STILL waiting for her date in court to send the monster to prison. 

She wasn’t offered any emotional support, there was total radio silence for the first 2 years with no indication if anyone was even fighting her corner or even bothered about what she had been through.

Finally a date was set, 4 years after the crime happened. As the trial date grew closer, she received a letter to let her know this was postponed, these things happen right? 

A new date was set a year later. The anxiety caused by her fear of the trial grew stronger and stronger. Would anyone even still care 4 years later? This man has been able to carry on his everyday life, make new friends, work whilst my friend has struggled to hold herself together, fearing that she would run into him in the streets and she lost many friends in the process.

As the 2nd court date grew closer, she was failed to be notified that the courts had CANCELLED her trial due to “lack of availability” with no future date available for her to get the chance to be heard. Yet again, women are being put through hell, no one fighting there corner, alone and silenced. She is so worn out and traumatised by her treatment, and the whole,broken system that she feels unable to fight back any longer.

Yet rioters were hauled into the courts in less than 2 weeks for facebook posts but rapists are being allowed to walk the streets, interact with other women and potentially put their lives in danger.

It’s totally wrong and really shocking, and shows just how little the system cares about violence against women and girls, and the most vulnerable in our society.

When will this change? How can we, as women, stand by and bring children into this world when the people who are paid to serve the public, don’t protect you in your times of most desperate need...

From a friend of anonymous rape survivor.