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SHOCK 76% RISE IN RAPE REPORTS
‘Jimmy Savile effect’ is encouraging more victims to come forward Benefit cuts are
BY ALEX CAMPBELL
alex.campbell@thesentinel.co.uk
A TEAM of detectives is being brought in to investigate a 76 per cent increase in reported rape cases sparked by the Jimmy Savile scandal Staffordshire Police are launching the dedicated team for serious sexual assaults after receiving 268 rape allegations between April and December. That compares with 153 reports over the same period in 2011. Senior officers today admitted many of the allegations have been made by victims who now have the confidence to report abuse following the Savile scandal. Most of the allegations are made against family members and date back years. Assistant Chief Constable Jane
Sawyers, below, said: “We are now hearing from people who would never previously have considered speaking out about historic rapes in family situations because they now feel able to come forward. “We are not talking about a sudden problem with stranger rapes in Staffordshire, this is about victim confidence.” Hundreds of victims who were raped or molested over 50 years by the BBC star have only come forward since October after allegations were screened in an ITV documentary. Staffordshire Police have received 110 rape allegations between October and December, compared with 53 the year before. The increase comes as the force’s detection rate for serious sexual
crimes has fallen to 21.8 per cent – against a target of 31 per cent. The dedicated team of detectives is being set up to ensure victims are fully supported and cases investigated thoroughly. Chief Constable Mike Cunningham said: “National publicity has meant people who would never have reported these crimes are now coming forward. “But rape is a hugely under-reported crime. We never measure increases in rape as being success or failure. We want to encourage victims to come forward. “We need to break the issue of rapes being under reported before we can move forward.” A total of 538 serious sexual assaults – including rapes – have been reported to the force since April – a 36.5 per cent increase on 394 a year earlier. Part of the increase is also put down to the opening of the force’s new sexual
assault referral centre in Cobridge. Staffordshire Women’s Aid said requests for the charity’s expert support had increased by 70 per cent since the Savile scandal. Support services manager Annette Atherton said: “Calls to our helpline have increased phenomenally but I’m sure there is much more out there. “Victims still find it very difficult to come forward, in some cases because they weren’t believed in the past, because they’re embarrassed or worried other people will find out. It is a hugely courageous thing for them to do.” Victims wanting to report a rape allegation should call police on 101. For advice, call Staffordshire Women’s Aid’s 24-hour confidential helpline on 0870 2700123.
What do you think of the figures? Email us at letters@thesentinel.co.uk
‘among highest’ CUTS to council tax benefit in Stoke-on-Trent are the equal highest in the country, a national survey has revealed. Stoke-on-Trent City Council will hit 20,000 households, which currently have their council tax covered in full, with a 30 per cent charge from April – a £278 bill for Band A properties. Research published by the Resolution Foundation yesterday, which reveals cuts announced so far by 235 councils in England, shows the 30 per cent charge is equal to the highest in the country and matched by only four authorities. Chief executive Gavin Kelly said: “Those currently exempt from paying council tax are going to find it hard to cope.” The Government is abolishing council tax benefit and paying councils to offer their own discounts – but it will provide 10 per cent less than the current cost of the handouts. Some councils are planning to shield claimants but the city council said Government funding reductions mean it has no alternative. In Newcastle, families face a 30 per cent charge while the figure in the Moorlands is 8.5 per cent. Crisis fund for families: Page 21
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