North Wales Police have worked hard to change the way they respond to and investigate rape.
DCI Wayne Jones of North Wales Police’s Public Protection Unit explains the fresh approach the force is taking in dealing with the traumatic issue of rape.
Rape is a uniquely difficult crime to investigate and requires dedicated and specialist resources, so over the past year your police force has conducted a series of reviews to ensure our response to rape is right at every stage of the investigation.
This has led to a comprehensive action plan and we are already seeing the benefits.
We have examined:
- how we deal with initial calls
- investigation techniques
- support for victims
- medical provision and counselling
The purpose built Amethyst Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Colwyn Bay has a full time health service manger and a team of police officers, known as Specially Trained Officers, who work from the centre and deal with victims throughout the investigation.
Each police area in North Wales also has a dedicated team of detectives to deal with all offenders in relation to rape and serious sexual offences and this helps us ensure that we carry out high quality investigations which are supervised directly by a Detective Inspector.
Our thorough review has also enabled us to analyse where and when rapes take place and use the information in our awareness campaigns. The instances of stranger rapes are extremely rare. Victims almost always know the offender and the issue of alcohol and consent feature in most cases.
We have and will continue to vigorously and thoroughly deal with offenders in all cases. Working with the Crown Prosecution Service we have enhanced our early consultation process and charging guidance providing a more consistent approach to investigations, while our partners in the North Wales Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASA) have now appointed an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor to support victims of sexual violence.
North Wales Police welcome this vital post. Katherine Moseley, Director RASA Support Centre said: “The North Wales Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre is delighted to have employed an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor. Her role will be to help support survivors of sexual violence across North Wales through their experience of sexual violence.
“We are looking forward to enhancing the good work of partner organisations, such as North Wales Police, to ensure that we are moving in the right direction towards better services and better outcomes for survivors.”
Assistant Chief Constable, Gareth Pritchard said: “North Wales Police are continuously seeking to improve the service we give to rape victims. We believe the key to sustainable improvements in the investigation of rape cases and for the care of victims is for all relevant agencies including Police, Health, CPS and the voluntary sector to continue to work together in a co-ordinated manner.”
Our duty of care:-
If you have been a victim of rape of serious sexual assault, whoever you are, we promise to:
- be sensitive and polite
- explain everything so you can be sure you understand what is happening
- make you as comfortable as possible.
You will have the support of a specially trained officer to look after you. This officer will have received specialist training within this area to deal with all issues relating to rape and sexual assault. The specially trained officer who deals with your case will be dedicated and experienced in this form of crime. We will be discreet and tactful and will investigate the crime against you thoroughly.
Consent must be given every time two people engage in sexual contact. Sex without consent is rape.
What is consent? A person consents if they agree by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. The law recognises that you can withdraw consent at any time before or during a sexual act.
Some myths about sexual assault and rape
Myth: The police won’t believe me. Fact: We take all reports of rape and sexual assault seriously. We are committed to supporting victims of this traumatic crime.
Myth: Most rapists are strangers. Fact: Most victims of sexual assault and rape knew their attacker.
Myth: Someone was raped because of what they were wearing and how they were acting. Fact: How someone is dressed or acts does not mean they deserve to be the victim of serious violent crime. We do not judge, we investigate.
Myth: A rape victim always needs to say NO to show they don’t consent. Fact: Shock and fear will cause some victims to freeze during an attack. We will always consider any reasons that might have prevented a victim from saying no.
Myth: Women often lie about rape. Fact: A major Home Office research project in 2000-2003 concluded that only three per cent of rape allegations were false. Only one fifth of rapes are reported to the police.
Myth: Rape cannot happen in a relationship or marriage. Fact: Rape or sexual assault is still a crime when it occurs in a relationship or marriage. We treat the matter as seriously as we would for all other rapes and sexual assaults.
