Cameron plans to toughen up on rape laws
Kayleigh:
November 12th, 2007
Tory leader David Cameron has announced he is going to pledge for tougher rape laws in the UK after it was found that rapists in the UK escape being punished more than any other country in Europe.
Cameron’s plans include teaching pupils in school early on that when someone says no to sex it means ‘no’ and also intends to put more funding into rape crisis centres.
At current, only 5.7% of reported rapes cases result in a conviction, and it is a wonder if all women report rapes with such an off-putting percentage, not to mention the emotional trauma they have to go through.
Mr Cameron said:”Studies have shown that as many as one in two young men believe there are some circumstances when it’s okay to force a woman to have sex. To my mind, this is an example of moral collapse.”
At current, the average prison sentence for rape is seven and a half years, with a minimum of five years for offenders over 18 years.
At current, there are only 45 rape crisis support centres left in the UK, meaning victims face waiting lists of up to 7 months.
Katherine Rake, director of the Fawcett Society, welcomed the proposals. She said: “Rape crisis centres are at risk of closing all over the country due to a lack of funding, leaving women with nowhere to turn at a time when they desperately need support.
“Women have been let down for years as politicians have failed to prioritise tackling rape. We hope today’s announcements will be the start of a serious debate.”
According to Rape Crisis, over two-thirds of reported cases are dropped out at the police stage and do not make it as far as the courts.
Statistics also show that one in twenty women have been raped, but only a quarter of them report it.
Katy Meany, a 21 year old student at the University of Central Lancashire, thinks the plans are a good idea. “Rapists should be sentenced for longer, as the trauma of a rape is likely to stay with that woman for life.”
December 2nd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
It’s good to hear that David has made a pledge for tougher rape laws in the UK, this is a positive move in the right direction.
It’s always sensible however, to carry protection when away from home in the event of an unprovoked attack.
Rape alarms or self defence spray are inexpensive and could provide you with valuable seconds to escape, should you suffer an attack.
A rape alarm will emit an audible alert causing discomfort to an attacker and to attract the attention of others.
A self defence spray will surprise the attacker and will cover them in a thick sticky goo which is traceable for days after the event.
You can find a complete range of these products at:
Top4security.co.uk
Stay safe.