In Cardiff, between September 2023 - September 2024 there were 13,217 counts of violence and sexual offences reported (Crime Rate). Cardiff is reported to be the most dangerous city in South Glamorgan with the most common crimes committed in Cardiff being violence and sexual offences (Crime Rate).
I have experienced the pain and frustration of having my reports of abuse dismissed by the police. This is not just my story, but a narrative that many women in our community share. In 2019, the Crime Survey for England and Wales reported that less than 1 in 4 victims of sexual violence reported their experiences to the police (Office for National Statistics). We must change this.

Our law enforcement agencies are meant to protect us, yet many victims feel neglected and unheard when they muster up the courage to report their abusers. This discourages future reporting and allows perpetrators to continue their actions without consequence. I have experienced this first hand. 

We call upon local authorities in the UK, to take immediate action towards improving response protocols when dealing with reports of abuse. We urge them to provide proper training for officers on handling these sensitive cases with empathy, seriousness and urgency.

After I experienced four years of injustice I found the courage to confront South Wales Police. The accusation included neglect, disrespect and discrimination against myself as a young female reporting multiple offences of domestic abuse, violence and rape. 

The most recent offence was ignored by South Wales Police for over four months.
This resulted in my abusers not being arrested, despite the evidence.

Since the investigation into South Wales Police concluded, I received an admission of neglect and formal apology from the Police Constable. My abusers should have been arrested, as it was listed in the police log. For reasons South Wales Police would not disclose, an arrest was never made.

This admission is proof that we are not the issue. We did everything right. We trusted a local authority who were ill equipped to support and protect us. 
We are encouraged to report domestic abuse and sexual assault, but how are we supposed to have faith in a system that buries the very voice they tell us to use?

By signing this petition, you stand with survivors like me who have been let down by those who were supposed to help us seek justice.

Protocol needs to change! Demand that change with me.