More than 300 rapes and sexual assaults during 2009
SHOCKING figures reveal there were more than 300 rapes and sexual assaults committed against women, men and children in Cornwall last year which were reported to the police.
Statistics from Devon and Cornwall Police show that between January 1 and December 31 there were 155 rapes reported in the county, 65 of which were committed against children.
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Maggie Parks of the women's rape and sexual abuse centre. 1001ID02602
Experts working with women who have been sexually attacked said they were not surprised.
Maggie Parks, director at the women's rape and sexual abuse centre, based in Bodmin, said statistics fail to paint the true picture of sex crimes.
Unreported offences
She said: "It's pretty much what we already know. While the figures tell us about recorded crimes, what they obviously can't tell us is the number of unreported offences. Nationally we're told that only 15% of people who have suffered rape or sexual assault report the matter to the police – that means 85% don't.
"We run a self-referral service where women contact us directly. Through the service we estimate the local percentage of women who don't report it to be nearer 90%. But that doesn't include women who never tell anyone."
Ms Parks said that in recent years the police and court system have improved how rape and sexual assault is handled.
She added: "Changes have definitely taken place and we're moving in the right direction, although there are still areas that need attention. Recently we dealt with a 78-year-old lady living in a care home who had been raped and sexually abused when she was a young woman.
"It was such a social taboo years ago that she didn't tell anyone until she met one of our volunteers who happened to be working at the home."
Det Con Caroline Knight, rape investigation co-ordinator, said the Devon and Cornwall force was working hard to improve the plight of rape victims using specialist training.
She said: "We already have a sexual assault referral centre in Plymouth and are working to set up more across the two counties.
"The centres are something of a one-stop-shop for victims where they can come and be seen by a doctor, deal with police and be put in touch with counselling services.
"We accept rape and sexual assault are very under-reported crimes."
Det Con Knight said one major area of concern was "predatory males" who either spike women's drinks or wait for them to get drunk enough before raping them.
She said: "It's a free world and if a woman wants to go out, have a good time and get drunk then that is her decision.
"But the predatory rapist is not usually someone dressed in a balaclava, carrying a knife, hiding in bushes – we know he exists, but the rapist is more likely to be the man sitting at the end of the bar waiting to make his move."








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by manuelization
Sunday, April 08 2012, 11:44AM
“Well, that's what gorja (that's a NON-Gypsy) culture is about. That and rape, drunken violence, child abuse, greed, racism. The list is endless. Thankfully I praise God that I am a Gypsy and not part of British society as a whole. Though I was born here and my ancestors have been here 500 years, I could never, EVER call myself British or English, the shame of belonging to such a degenerated race would be too much to bear. They (Brits) would have the nerve and audacity to call themselves good too!!! lol
Yeah, right! my butt!”
by Care not statistics!, Penzance
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 6:24PM
“Rapes and sexual assaults are always going to happen but I think it's the way they are dealt with that really needs examining and improving in Cornwall. Speaking out of pure experience I would like to take this oppurtunity to describe how unhelpful the police and aftercare are when concerning rape and sexual assault in Cornwall. It took 3 hours for the police to even turn up to the initial call. Upon arrival I was dealt with very insensitively and was not even allowed to wait for my mother to accompany me to an internal examination. I was given minimal aftercare, little advise and never recieved so much as a phonecall for two weeks regarding the report. And, to my complete and utter lack of surprise, the man was never apprehended. And we wonder why so many woman fail to report sexual crimes? I developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and still suffer with depression (I won't even get on to the dissmay that is the Cornish mental health team).
And at what point do you think the 'people lie about rape' comments are helpful? That is a major factor why there are so many unreported rapes. Woman are scared they won't be believed. Well done for being a complete insensitive and uneducated fool.”
by Gary, saltash
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 4:11PM
“Sarah I think it can be taken as read that a person being rapped would say no. To claim that anyone would lead a man on and say no during the act itself is the kind of thing that makes court cases very hard and leads to comments like Brian's. A person very close to me was rapped and opted not to go to the police, each person needs to do what they feel is right and with love and time they will recover.”
by Brian, Truro
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 3:56PM
“Why dont the media ever report of girls and woman who make up lies about a former or current male partner about rape and ruin his life and job and forever!”
by Sarah, Nr Falmouth
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 3:55PM
“Penrynner, Penryn, How many women are THAT promiscuous. And apart from the fact, A woman at any part of intercourse can say NO and it should mean NO!!!”
by Sarah, Nr Falmouth
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 3:51PM
“Penrynner, Penryn, How many women are THAT promiscuous. And apart from the fact, A woman at any part of intercourse can say NO and it should mean NO!!!”
by Tom, St Just in Penwith
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 3:49PM
“No, I wasn't making that claim Jo of Newquay. I was simply trying to get behind the sensational headline. And as far as the comment you asked me to read is concerned, it comes from a man dedicated to the lowering of any moral stance, and who gets a nice income from his "cause".”
by Old St Just boy, uk
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 3:16PM
“They want to make allotments more freely available, let them dig them, that will get rid of some of their excess energy for sure.”
by Penrynner, Penryn
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 2:40PM
“.... or a friend's mum, your own mum, a female relative, a female babysitter, a female teacher, a female club leader, in fact any female that a person is likely to come into contact with. Its not just men, Ella.
But having said that, I would also like to add that as a person in their 60's, and having seen many many things in my life, its amazing how many young girls today go out on the town, get so drunk their judgement is severely clouded, then willingly and happily go off with someone who they wouldn't dream of even speaking to if they were sober. Many men, (and its only natural) would take advantage of the opportunity (or offer) and do what men do. They could be ugly, they could be ninety, they could be married, (and often are), and not getting it from their wives, they could be so fat and disgusting that they could never attract a girlfriend of their own, but drink does distort the truth. Have you ever heard of the expression "He/She looks better after a few drinks"? The girl often goes off with him quite happily, only to then find out later what a fool she has been. In her shame, ambarrassment and disgust with herself, and even fear that her friends might find out, she denies that she could ever have done what she just did....... and then cries "rape". Many men have found themselves in the same situation too, and also feel guilt and shame afterwards too. But just as the men would never dream of claiming the old dragon raped him, the girl should equally not make a rape claim if she did it quite willingly, sometimes even taking the lead role. It is often a case of stupidity, brought about by drink, and an abandonment of their own safety, combined with the morals of an alleycat, It is something they have to learn, and if their parents can't or won't teach them morals and decency, then they will inevitably learn from experience. Men are like that. Most men, if it were handed to them on a plate, simply are unable to refuse. Imagine a man who falls into any of the categories above, are they really going to turn down the opportunity of a lifetime? A ninety year old would be over the moon if they thought they could ****** with a very willing 18 year old gorgeous young thing. It would make their day, (or life). You simply cannot blame them. Providing they do not EVER use force, spike their drinks, or act in any other criminal way then it really is the girl's decision-making that is the guilty party, even if her judgement has been clouded by an extra vodka and orange. Yes, I agree, that if she is beyond making a reasoned decision, laid helpless by alcohol, then the man shouldn't touch her. But I think you'll find that many accusations stem from what I have just described. There is a big danger that we can all get drawn into some very big shift in the law because of something that has been happening for as long as I can remember, and which is certainly not a crime.
But please don't get me wrong, for rape is one of the most horrific crimes that a girl can suffer (believe me, I know), and there can be no excuse whatsoever for a genuine case of rape, especially a child, or where force is used. But we must be able to distinguish the difference between genuine rape, and where is it simply stupidity, and often a false accusation. With increasing pressure to get more girls to make complaints, on the police to bring more cases to court, for more convictions, and for more severe sentencing, I sometimes feel that these soft/easy targets are going to get the full force of all this pressure, simply to make the statistics look better”
by JOHN, EXETER
Tuesday, January 19 2010, 2:19PM
“It would be interesting to know how many men were convicted. None I would imagion, making rape the easiest crime to get away with. until the authorities take the issue seriously not one of our women or girls will be safe.”