We Believe You: Our message to survivors of rape and sexual assault

To survivors of rape and sexual offences we want to say one thing: “We believe you.”

The fear of not being believed is one of the main reasons that survivors of rape or sexual assault don’t report the offence to police.

We want to change that.

That’s why we’ve launched a new campaign to encourage survivors come forward and report their experiences to police.

Last year, Durham Constabulary charged 103 people with rape in County Durham and Darlington.

We also charged 89 others with sexual assault, and 139 people with stalking and harassment offences.

In every single one of these cases, we believed the survivor and did all we could to support them in getting justice.

We Believe You is a campaign that encourages survivors to report their experiences to police, or a support agency if they’re not ready to speak to police officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Blakelock, the force’s lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, said: “Offences involving sexual violence can have a truly devastating and long-lasting impact on survivors.

“We want them to have the trust and confidence to come forward and report these offences, knowing that they will be listened to, supported throughout their journey through the criminal justice process, and that we will believe them.

“Rape and sexual assaults are among the most complex investigations we deal with, and we take reports seriously and treat investigations with sensitivity. 

“Over the last year, every single detective in Durham Constabulary has undergone specialist investigative training with a world-leading expert to make sure we gather the evidence needed to get a conviction.

“We don’t always get it right, and we won’t always get the result we want, but we will always do everything we can to help make a horrendously difficult process a little easier.

“It doesn’t matter when the offence took place, or who the perpetrator was - if you’ve been raped, sexually assaulted, or stalked, tell us.

“We believe you.”

Call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency, or report online at www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to police, contact The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line is available 24/7 and provides support for anyone who has been affected by rape or sexual assault. Call 0808 500 2222 or visit www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk

Local charity Harbour provides support to those experiencing domestic abuse. Call 03000 20 25 25 or visit www.myharbour.org.uk