Rape: Short Word Long Sentence
‘Rape – Short Word, Long Sentence’ is aimed at young people between the ages of 14 and 21 years highlighting the vulnerability of young people when drinking alcohol and the issues around consent. It has been produced by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sexual Assault Referral Centre – The Treetops Centre.
The DVD will be shown in conjunction with the Hampshire Constabulary presentation – ‘Keeping Safe’, which explains the law as well as why this group is vulnerable to sexual assault. The aim of this film is to dispel the myths and identify to young people what the real risks are and how to keep themselves safe.
Young Men Targeted in Hampshire Anti-Rape Campaign
- The majority of rapists are young men aged 16 – 24.
- The majority of victims are young women aged 16 – 24.
- 48% of rapes are classified as acquaintance.
- The majority of reported acquaintance rapes take place over the weekend.
- Most rapes don’t take place in dark, secluded areas. 75% actually occur in private premises, such as the victim or rapist’s own home.
- A person doesn’t have to say ‘no’ to show they don’t consent. A rape victim will often go into shock or be unable to speak through fear during an attack. This will be taken into account by the police.
These figures have been released by Hampshire Constabulary to raise awareness and knowledge of the real picture of rape and are unable to be broken down by geographical region at this time (from 1 Oct 2008 – 30 Sept 2009).
Alcohol awareness to prevent rape
Both sexes are being targeted by a new campaign aimed at reducing alcohol-related rape and sexual offences.
Hampshire Constabulary has joined forces with the county’s pubs, clubs, schools, universities, local authorities and the Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre to educate and inform young people about the links between alcohol and sexual assault.
The campaign, which is primarily aimed at young people aged 15 to 24, has three main messages – responsibility, consent and look after your friends.
It will be using a DVD, schools’ education package, posters and leaflets in pubs and clubs, university websites and Bluetooth messages near pubs and clubs at closing time to promote its safety messages.
Detective Inspector Tara Williams, a campaign leader, said the campaign is designed to make young people think about how short term actions can have long term consequences.
She added: ‘When most people hear the word “rape” they tend to think of a stranger waiting in bushes and attacking women as they walk home late at night.
‘The reality is far from this though, and most of the rapes reported to us involve people who are known to each other.’
Alcohol can affect your judgement, make you lose your inhibitions, and mean you take risks. Mary Bridgman, manager of Treetops
Source: The News, 23rd October 09
FAQs for victims returning home who have been raped abroad
Now I am home who should I report it to?
If you wish to report what has happened to the Police – ring or attend your local Police Station.
If you do not wish the Police to be involved many areas of the country now have Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) where you can talk to a trained worker in confidence. The SARC also has medical examination and counselling facilities. There are also other agencies that can help including Rape Crisis Centres at www.rapecrisis.org.uk, and other specialist voluntary organisations. Information on SARC locations, Rape Crisis centres and how to contact Victim Support can be found Home Office Website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk under sexual offences.
What will the Police do if I report to them?
Many policing areas have introduced specially trained officers to deal with reports of sexual offences. They will send an officer to meet you. Tell them if you would prefer to speak to a male or female officer.
What will they need to know?
The officer will take your personal details and will record the full details of the incident. This will include what happened, where and when it happened, whether you are injured, whether you have kept the clothing that you were wearing at the time, whether you know your attacker, or if there are any witnesses including anyone else you have told about it.
Will I have to give a statement?
You may be required to give a written witness statement or a video recorded interview. These options will be discussed with you.
Who will investigate?
Generally it will be the country in which the attack occurred. However the British Police may take details from you and send them to an investigating officer in the country in which the attack occurred. If your attacker is from the UK and has returned to the UK the British Police may conduct some of the investigation on their behalf.
Will I have to be medically examined?
A forensic medical examination is an opportunity for you discuss your welfare together with a possibility of obtaining evidence. A forensic examination will not take place without your consent. All Police forces have medical examination facilities. Wherever possible you will have the choice of a male or female doctor.
You may also be advised to visit your doctor or a GUM clinic to have a pregnancy test or tests for sexually transmitted infections.
Will I have to return to the country where it happened?
You may have to if there are identification procedures or a court case. The Police/Foreign Office will discuss the financial implications for travelling to the country where the assault took place.
What will I do if the local Police don’t know what to do?
You should receive the appropriate response to your report however, every force has a senior officer who has responsibility for rape and serious sexual assault should you need further advice. Your local Police force can assist you to find out about your case if it has already been investigated in another country. Alternatively, your local Rape Crisis Centre or other victim support service may be able to assist.
Man Charged Over Portsmouth Rape
The man was arrested late on Sunday, following the attack on a woman who had been walking home in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police say the attempted rape charge relates to another incident in June last year.
He will next appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on April 14.
Ex-policeman jailed
Brigham, who was a lesbian and gay liaison officer for the force, travelled down to the city in August 2008 to attend a party.
During the course of the evening he befriended the teenager and was repeatedly told the boy was 15.
But in the early hours of the next day Brigham and the boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, engaged in sexual activity in an alleyway.
The youngster’s family contacted police about a week later after he had told them what had happened.
Brigham, who had served in the Met for nine years, was arrested and interviewed.
At first he claimed he thought the boy was over 16 but he later admitted four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
Brigham also resigned from the Met police force.
At Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday Brigham, of Hackney, London, was sent to prison for 30 months.
Judge Roger Hetherington said: ‘These offences are aggravated by the disparity in age between you.
‘You were more than twice his age. You knew he was underage and yet you succumbed to temptation.’
He added: ‘I accept that at the time of these offences you were someone with your own difficulties and the fact that until then you had no previous convictions and a valued job in the police force. You have lost that now.’
Brigham’s barrister, Richard Atchley, told the court his client had shown genuine remorse for his actions.
He added: ‘He wants to apologise to the young boy and the Metropolitan police force, which he served in for nine years with distinction.
‘His behaviour came at the end of a long downward spiral in his life.’
Brigham is likely to serve half the sentence behind bars before he is released into the community on licence.
ON THE SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER
Mark Brigham will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely as a result of the 30-month prison sentence he received.
He could have to tell police where he lives and if he ever changes his address or name for the rest of his life. If he fails in this duty he could be hauled back before the courts and jailed for failing to abide with the notification requirements.
Brigham has also been banned from working with children.
8 Year Jail Sentence for Rapist
A sex attacker who beat up a woman and then raped her has been jailed.
Gareth Smith subjected his terrified victim to a frenzy of blows before he forced himself on her.
Smith set upon the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in March this year.
He dragged her into his flat in Portsmouth where he pinned her to the floor and raped her.
The 30-year-old then told his victim to wash herself.
She required hospital treatment for swelling around her eye and extensive bruising but did not tell doctors that she had been raped.
The victim eventually contacted police a few days later to report the sex attack and Smith was arrested.
After a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, Smith, of Allaway Avenue, Paulsgrove, was jailed for eight years.
Police today welcomed the sentence. Detective Constable Kristy O’Brien, from Portsmouth CID, said: “We welcome the sentence, which signifies the end of a long and difficult journey for the victim.”
‘I’d encourage others suffering this kind of abuse to speak out and contact the police, because we take offences such as these very seriously.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in this investigation for their professionalism and commitment, and also to the victim for her full co-operation and support throughout.”
A jury found Smith guilty of two counts of rape and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Smith had denied all the charges and forced his victim to go through the ordeal of re-living her experiences during the trial.
He is likely to serve four years behind bars before he is released into the community on licence.
During the licence period he will be supervised by the probation service.
Smith will also remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
He will have to tell police where he is living at all times and if he moves home.
Treetops Care
- The Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Northern Road, Cosham, saw 370 victims in its first year.
- Of those, 337 victims (91%) were referred by police and 37 were men.
- In total 33 victims seen (9 %) were aged under 16.
- 52 people referred to the centre (14 per cent) were victims of domestic violence and 74% were vulnerable adults.
- A total of 311 victims underwent a forensic examination.
- Staff started offering service to teenagers ages 13-16 in May 2007 to supplement limited paediatric facilities available in the county.
New help for Portsmouth rape victims
A dedicated sexual assaults unit is to be set up by Hampshire Police in a bid to increase detections.
In a Home Office-funded pilot project – the first outside London – the Crystal Unit will be based at Fratton police station in Portsmouth.
The unit will be monitored and, when the pilot ends, compared to statistics of similar crimes in Southampton.
One woman who claims to have been raped said she hoped the unit would encourage more people to come forward.
I was raped and sexually assaulted over a period of two years.
“After the first incident I didn’t report it to the police straight away but after a particularly violent assault one night I did go to the police.”
“[Later a] police officer said it was historic and you have not got a hope of a conviction. I can’t really describe how I felt, really disheartened I suppose.”
The number of rapes reported in Portsmouth for the 12-month period commencing April 2006 was 127 (157 in Southampton) and in the following year, it was 122 (160 in Southampton).
The new unit will have a dedicated team of officers, including investigators specially trained in detecting sexual offences, as well as Crown Prosecution Service lawyers.
The Crystal Unit spells out our commitment to survivors of these terrible crimes. Det Ch Insp Richard John
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