Rape Victim Fights 20 Years for Police Accountability

A 37-year-old mother of two is demanding an apology from Devon and Cornwall Police for their handling of her rape case, which occurred two weeks before her 17th birthday in May 2006. Initially, she was dismissed by officers who offered her "words of advice" and focused on her state of intoxication rather than investigating the alleged assault. Police notes indicated officers questioned her behaviour, suggesting she went willingly and consented, despite her having had a lot to drink and experiencing memory blackouts.

Despite requesting a medical examination, she was told she was too young and that too much time had passed. Her clothes, collected for analysis, were returned untested, and her alleged attacker was never interviewed. Two years later, a second attempt to report the incident was also dismissed by the police. It wasn't until 2020 that she made a formal complaint, leading the force to offer to reopen the inquiry.

The case eventually went to trial in April of this year, resulting in a not guilty verdict. The presiding judge was critical of the force's conduct, noting officers appeared quicker to judge her behavior than investigate her allegations. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating Devon and Cornwall Police's response to the 2006 report and the decisions made by the officers involved. The police force has acknowledged past inconsistent practices and lack of support for victims, stating they have reformed their procedures for handling rape and serious sexual offense reports.