Less than 4% of SA reports are false
As I continue to research the difficult subject of historical sexual abuse, I have learned that one in four women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Data collected from one study, investigating the experiences of survivors, using included open-ended and semi-structured interviews. These women were faced with insensitivity, blaming questions, lack of investigation, and lack of follow-up from the police, all of which contributed to not being believed by the institutions designed to protect them.
This paper also revealed that there are some common risk factors which make women more vulnerable to SA and recurring abuse. These range from mental health conditions, early exposure to abuse, alcoholism and drug abuse and childhood SA. The use of alcohol or drugs prior and during SA has been seen to contribute to women self-blaming. Many of the women knew their assailant.
This study revealed that delays or even absence of reporting SA stems oftentimes, from fear of recrimination, not being believed, and worse still being blamed. If we consider the recent news about the former Prince, who was alleged to have sexually assaulted an American teenager, reports have claimed that he used his own Police protection Unit to try and dig up “dirt” on the accuser. This very behaviour can dissuade women even more from standing up to abuse.
I can resonate deeply with this, and in fact, while this story dominated the news, I suffered a relapse in my insomnia, anxiety, and panic. It reminded me of the experience I had, after I finally reported SA. I was villainised, described as a binge drinking, lying, hypocritical domestic abuser. I was reported to Children’s Social services, who closed the case within hours of receiving the report.
I received a letter from a solicitor accusing me of harassment (of course this was untrue and nothing further was done). When I reported all this to the police (during the interview where I disclosed my historical abuse) they advised me to ring the 101 service and report all the behaviours as harassment. Only these last few months, I had to ask my husband to send a letter requesting that communications are stopped because I was still receiving correspondence to my new home address, as well as messages via social media, to my children, both under 16.
When I read the data on the process and experience of reporting SA, I became more passionate about standing up for anyone who comes forward. There are less than 4% of false reports to the police, more than 96% of claims are true. I can tell you that from my experience being interviewed in a room, with cameras and microphones, with a detective, asking me the most intimate and personal questions, that nobody would put themselves through such distress without it being true.
I have experienced times where conflict has led to difference of opinion, sometimes arguments, and worse, falling out with people. In all these experiences I have either restored the relationship, or parted ways. I have never launched a “story”, or an “accusation” to villainise anyone. But this is the justification so tightly held by those who refuse to believe me. I must be villainised. Otherwise, the truth is painfully close to shattering their illusion. I was given no time or space, to explain my experience. Instead, I was silenced from the start. I still am.
I cannot speak for others who have suffered SA, but for me, the lack of voice, lack of space to be heard, has been incredibly difficult. I focus on the knowledge that the important people do believe me. My immediate family, my closest friends and my children. I have to find a way to accept that my truth may never be heard and that justice may never be done. Perhaps this will come in different ways. In gaining strength, continuing to strive for a better life, pursuing my goals, bettering myself and achieving peace, is the only justice I ever need. I have already come so far in the last 18 months, faced my darkest shadows, survived my greatest losses.
I want to extend my recognition to anyone who has experienced abuse, and want to hold space, one of the purposes of my website. Please reach out to family, or friends, or contact your GP for support, alternatively, ring your local police, to seek advice on whether you want to report your experience.
