Yesterday Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick admitted to 49 rape and sexual offences against 12 women over a period of 18 years. At least 9 of these offences were known to the police, but he was allowed to remain in post.
We are tired of the empty promises. He’s not just a bad apple and this isn’t unprecedented. It’s a pattern. Over the years, numerous women we’ve supported have suffered continued abuse and violence from serving police officers in our Swale community. We hear about and see the barriers they face in reporting, and we witness their terror and fear of not just the man they’re meant to feel safest with, but of an institution meant to protect them.
“A boys club”, that’s what one of our clients described the police force as. Can you imagine what it feels like to know that if you dial 999, the officers who will be coming to your door are friends with the man who is controlling and attacking you? Can you imagine discovering he’s been using cameras and recording equipment which are property of the police force to stalk and track your movements? Can you imagine the distress of knowing that your rapist, who is trusted and known locally as a community hero, has access to firearms which he threatens you with?
This has been the terrifying reality of some of our clients, and of countless other women across the country. David Carrick isn’t the first, and he’s certainly not the last. He’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“How many times do we need to call for urgent answers following the abuse of trust from a police officer? And how many times do we need to call for urgent, meaningful change which addresses the deep-rooted sexism and misogyny not just in the Met Police but police forces across the country? These perpetrators in uniform are not untouchable, they can’t do whatever they like and we cannot let continued systemic failures to cost any more unimaginable trauma or lives. I want to say to all women in our community, please know that we are always here for you, no matter who your abuser is.” – Carey Philpott, CEO at SATEDA
The headlines for the past 24h have been triggering – we’re sending love to all our sisters.
