Make psychological therapy accessible nationwide to victims of rape/sexual assault during the police investigation process

5 in 6 women who are raped, and 4 in 5 men do not report it to the police. This is not surprising considering the emotional and physical trauma associated with the police investigation process. Many victims survive rape by shutting down or playing down the severity of what they are going through; a self-defence mechanism to allow them to keep living. It can take years for a victim to realise what has really happened to them, and even longer for them to accept the severity and harm caused, let alone to fight the feelings of guilt and self-blame many victims endure. The majority of victims do not report the rape at the time, meaning they are considered ‘historical cases’ by the police, meaning there is no time limit on when the investigation has to be concluded; despite the perpetrators still being free to continue raping and sexually assaulting others.  It is often not until reporting their experiences to the police that a victim starts to process events, particularly talking through every detail during the initial interview. This often leads to victims reliving the rape, bringing back fear and quickly spirals into a mental battle for them. 

Victims need support. They are not just victims but survivors; they are brave and they are strong. To take that first step to protect others by reporting their experiences to the police is one of the hardest times of their lives. But it is almost impossible to process what has happened alone. There is support available; counselling, CBT, EMDR and other psychological therapies, however any attempt to access this is denied as ‘it may affect the case if it is taken to court’. 

Only 1 in 100 reports of rape result in a charge that same year. The majority of rape cases never make it to court or the perpetrator being charged. Furthermore most cases take years to be investigated.

That leaves 99% of victims suffering the mental torture of processing the rape for years all on their own, being denied the support and therapy they need. 

Some victims are lucky enough to get access to pre-trial counselling however they are reminded over and over again that they are not allowed to mention any details at all of what they have been through, and anything they do say could be given as evidence in court (a familiar line from that when being arrested…). This can almost be seen as teasing; allowing the victim to be brave enough to open up about how they are feeling however not even scratch the surface of talking about the cause or being supported to process what has happened to them to then allow them to continue with their lives.

Telling anyone about what you have been through is the bravest but hardest first step in beginning to process and battle through accepting you have been raped and you are a victim. To then be refused the psychological support and therapy needed leaves the victim to spiral into a mental whirlwind of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, and all other trauma associated conditions, which continue to get worse for the years the investigation lasts. The impact this has on their lives is profound. It brings its own battles such as eating disorders, drug/alcohol addiction, financial difficulties, losing family and friends. It can lead to self-harm, becoming unable to work, unable to carry out simple day to day activities, withdrawing statements from the police, and can lead to suicide. 

Victims should NEVER have to choose between their own mental wellbeing and assisting the police in stopping perpetrators raping again. 

I have started this petition to make psychological services accessible for victims of rape, to support the victims, the survivors, not punish them further. Stop refusing people the support they need.