Case gives others the confidence to speak
Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under Press Releases
The News
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
VICTIM support groups today urged women who have been raped or sexually assaulted to speak out in the light of Christopher Miller’s conviction.
Linda Gaymer, a senior project worker for the early intervention project, based at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Portsmouth, praised Miller’s victims for speaking out.
She said: ‘I think the women who have spoken out in this case should be congratulated for having the courage to do what they have done.
‘We have certainly spoken to people who have not reported what has happened to them because they fear they will not be believed. This case should give people like that more confidence in the system.’
SARC provides a caring environment for victims of sexual abuse and victims of domestic violence while encouraging them to bring their attackers to justice.
Female GPs from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have signed up to help out as forensic experts at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
The three victims in this case have shown incredible bravery and strength in coming forward and making sure that he will not be able to do the same again.
The unit, at the Treetops Centre, in Northern Road, Cosham, sees medics, staff, counsellors and outreach workers together to help women and men from across the county.
Detective Constable Pete Bambury, from Southsea CID, said: ‘Christopher Miller is a sexual predator who gets young women drunk and then sexually assaults them. It is clear he doesn’t see anything wrong with that.
‘The three victims in this case have shown incredible bravery and strength in coming forward and making sure that he will not be able to do the same again.’
The call comes despite low conviction rates across Hampshire and many victims being too scared to report what has happened to them.
In a recent investigation The News revealed that just one per cent of rapes result in a conviction in Hampshire.
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