In 2025, I experienced the deep injustice of being told that the trauma responses I exhibited following a sexual assault were invalid. It was explained to me that the messages of comfort I sent to my rapist, in the midst of shock and fear, were seen as inconsistent with my claims. However, having the response of freeze, fight, flight, and fawn are well-documented psychological reactions to trauma that should be recognised by the legal system.

In the UK, rape laws need to change to reflect the full spectrum of trauma responses. These natural reactions, which are survival mechanisms, they can manifest as seemingly contradictory behaviours. For many victims, the tendency to "fawn" (to please and pacify their abuser to seek safety) can be just as instinctual as running away or fighting back. Unfortunately, the current legal infrastructure fails to accommodate these nuances, often leaving victims like me feeling silenced and invalidated.

According to Rape Crisis England & Wales, approximately 83% of rape victims know their perpetrator. This familiarity can significantly worsen the fawn response, as victims might desperately try to maintain normality or diffuse the situation which often leads to their prejudice in legal proceedings.

To provide justice for more victims, I urge lawmakers to amend the UK's rape laws to acknowledge freeze, fight, flight, and fawn responses as legitimate reactions to the trauma of sexual assault. By doing so, the legal system can offer more inclusive protections and prevent victims from being unjustly discredited based on their survival instincts.

Join me in demanding change. Sign the petition to push for policy reforms that will ensure all trauma responses are acknowledged and validated in the eyes of the law. Together, we can strive towards a justice system that truly understands the complexities of trauma. Sign now to make a difference.