The sentencing today has reinforced the message that men can rape with impunity. That when you report you aren't just fighting back against the person who attacked you, but also the police, the judge, the state.

Viewing rapists purely as an exceptional type of violent monster has allowed for many abusers who we see as upstanding members of society to get away with their crimes. It has allowed rapists to walk away from justice because they don’t fit into the box that we have created for them... Sometimes the worst crime isn't committed by extraordinary monsters, just ordinary men committing a monstrous crime.

  A report published in September 2018 showed a 23.1% fall from the year before in the conviction rate for cases of rape; even though there has been an increase in reporting. That’s 849 fewer perpetrators being held accountable for their actions which is the lowest conviction rate in a decade. The conviction rates in … Continue reading The UK justice system is failing survivors →

Whilst many believe that a victim of sexual violence may have provoked rape and sexual abuse, we all know really that that is bulls**t. No one invites violence against themselves, and no one chooses to live with the effects sexual violence has on one’s psyche, perceptions, and life. The definition of rape is sex without … Continue reading Victim blaming and the just world fallacy →

Being intimate after a sexual assault can be difficult. Whilst some survivors may become more promiscuous following an assault, especially survivors of child sexual abuse. Others may become withdrawn and avoid engaging in consensual sexual activity because the emotions and physical sensations may trigger unwanted memories, distressing thoughts, or certain emotions to be brought to … Continue reading Sex after assault →

It is common for survivors of sexual assault to experience a mental health issue after the incident, with 94% of survivors experiencing symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the first 2 weeks following an assault, and 50% experience symptoms long term.

Until we listen to survivors, until we believe them every time, perpetrators will continue getting away with sexual assault.

Consent is the giving of permission and will to engage in intercourse or any other sexual activity. Consent is essential, given by a person’s own free will with 0 coercion, force or threat and retractable at any time. Consent is not assumed, pressured, silent, reluctant, unconscious or unresponsive. Consent can only be made when a … Continue reading What is consent? →

Today marks the unveiling of the first cross-government victims strategy by the Justice Secretary, something that the government outlined 3 years ago in their 2015 election manifesto. They pledged to ‘support victims, so that the most vulnerable in our society get the support they deserve’ by implementing a victims law said to ‘enshrine key rights … Continue reading Our thoughts on the Government’s victims strategy →