‘POLICE PERPETRATED ABUSE IS WIDE SCALE’
REPORTING RAPE TO THE MET POLICE
Claire Waxman is London’s first Victims Commissioner. She works with victims and feeds back to the government and police on how they can improve on dealing with vulnerable people and victims of crime.
In 2021 we revealed 1.5% were charged by the Met. And last year saw the highest number of sexual assaults and rapes reported to the police accross the country.
Claire has acknowledged there are problems with the system and has said it will take time to see real change.
We previously interviewed Juliana Terlizzi. She is a victim of rape and has made complaints to the police over they handled her case.
When I asked her if she would report a sexual crime to the police today, she said she wouldn’t report “any crime to the police, given what I’ve experienced with them.”
Claire says she “understands” why victims feel like that and actually reporting can re victimise you.
Claire does note the Met and CPS are they’ve recognised “failing victims” rather than dismissing it. But says victims need people “on the side of the victim and working and supporting through this very complex justice system - and we don’t have that”
DAVID CARRICK: “IT’S SICKENING”
In February 2023, David Carrick, the former Met officer was found guilty of raping and abusing women for over 17 years.
He is one of the country’s worst ever sex offenders.
Carrick was a serving Met officer when he was arrested. Many people have asked how he managed to carry on working within the force.
The head of the Met Police has admitted the force has "let down women" after the jailing of rapist officer David Carrick.
Claire has been working as victim’s commissioner for over six years, she hears from victims often. So had she heard of reports of police officers being inappropriate?
POLICE ARE MARKING THEIR OWN HOMEWORK WITH COMPLAINTS
If you were to make a complaint to the police, you would have to go to the police themselves. Some victims say this is because the police are marking their own homework, which Claire “absolutely agrees” with.
Because of the recent allegations of internal misogyny they have set up their own Anti Corruption Unit’s where people can come and report and make complaints.
But Claire thinks truly independent specialists need to sit within these units.
“I’VE BEEN A VICTIM OF STALKING FOR 20 YEARS”
This is very personal for her, having been stalked for 20 years and still having her case ongoing. Which also means she’s still frustrated by the judiciary process.
But when asked about a Victim's Care Hub, where victim care is with specialists looking after and updating them on the legal process, she thinks this could take “years” to come into action and needs government support but believes it is “possible.”
“IT TOOK A GOOD FEW YEARS TO BE LISTENED TO”
Claire works closely with the police, justice departments and the government. But she says she hasn’t always been listened to.
SENIOR MET OFFICER FACING INVESTIGATION OVER RAPE COMPLAINTS ARE ‘REGRETFUL SEX’ COMMENTS
One of the most senior officers in the Met police is facing investigations over alleged comments where he described “the bulk” of rape allegations as “regretful sex”.
Claire said: “The alleged comments made by a senior Met officer are completely unacceptable, but sadly not surprising. This victim blaming culture… was a common theme when I spoke to rape victims.”
Sir Stephen House served as Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police from 10 April 2022 and faces investigation has denied making such comments.
He said: “I categorically deny using the phrase ‘regretful sex’. These are not words I have ever used in relation to rape or sexual assault and the reason I am so certain that I did not say this is because I simply do not believe it. I find the phrase abhorrent.”
Refuge has responded to the allegations and said: “It seems each week a new story emerges which further damages the trust women have in the police. Now is the time for root and branch reform of police forces across the country. They cannot be allowed to continue failing survivors.”