By Sheila Mckenzie-
A recent report reveals that a significant number of victims reported a decline in their mental health after engaging with the police.
Their harrowing experiences have raised serious questions about the support provided to survivors and the urgent need for reform within the criminal justice system.
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Some reported suicidal thoughts or “deep regret”, while one survivor said the police investigation harmed them more than the rape itself, the City, University of London-led survey revealed.
One unnamed survivor said: “After that interview, I was more traumatized than after the rape and was given no support.”
Another said: “I am more afraid of the police than being raped again.”
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The damning report, which included responses from 125 survivors who interacted with both the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police Service, exposes a deeply troubling reality.
According to the report, several survivors disclosed that their mental health deteriorated significantly following their engagement with the police.
These survivors expressed their anguish, revealing that the traumatic process of reporting their ordeal often exacerbated their emotional distress.
The ordeal was so overwhelming that some victims chose not to report subsequent instances of sexual abuse, even when the abuse was ongoing, for fear of the police themselves.
Rape Victims Reliving Their Trauma
The report’s findings suggest that, for some survivors, reporting their traumatic experiences to the authorities led to a revictimization of sorts.
In an already vulnerable state, survivors described how they felt compelled to relive their trauma while navigating the criminal justice system.
The chilling revelation that some survivors had been raped again following their initial report but chose not to inform the police speaks volumes about the fear and mistrust experienced by these victims.
However, the report does not state what in particular about the police report has caused them mental health issues.
A report by the Victims Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, in December 2022 expressed a distressing fact that victims of rape in Britain have a slim chance of obtaining justice.
She described reporting rape as effectively a lottery with low odds in favour of the victim.
The police investigate all reported cases of rape, but only 5% of rapes reported to the police in the year ending December 2021 resulted in a charge
Statistics show that jurors convict defendants in 75% of cases charged to court than acquit.
The Fear of the Police
The report is a stark reminder that survivors are grappling with an incredibly complex and challenging decision. While they seek justice and an end to their suffering, many fear the very institution designed to protect them—the police.
For these survivors, the fear of the police often outweighs their fear of the perpetrators, even in the face of ongoing abuse. This deeply unsettling dynamic raises troubling questions about the manner in which law enforcement handles sexual assault cases and supports survivors through the process.
Calls for Urgent Reforms
The alarming findings of this report underscore the pressing need for comprehensive reform within the criminal justice system. It is essential that survivors of sexual assault receive the care, support, and understanding they deserve from the moment they report their ordeal.
The current system appears to be failing many survivors, exacerbating their trauma rather than alleviating it. There is a crucial need to reevaluate the procedures, protocols, and support mechanisms in place for survivors.
This report serves as a clarion call for a shift in perspective. Survivor-centered approaches must be prioritized to ensure that victims are not subjected to further harm when they seek justice.
Law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, and support organizations should collaborate to create a safer, more compassionate environment for survivors to come forward and report their experiences.
Providing survivors with the necessary resources, counseling, and guidance is essential in the pursuit of justice.
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