Who am I?

My name is Verity Hope I am a women who was raped and sexually abused within a domestic abusive and very controlling and coercive relationship.

At the time of the rape I went to Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and my GP. I was appointed an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) who has supported me since. Due to the nature of the relationship I was too scared of the consequences of reporting, so I did not report to the police but had gone to SARC so that any evidence was stored. My ISVA had encouraged my to apply for Clare’s law but I was too scared he would find out. The level of coercion and controlling behaviour was very extreme from my perpetrator.

The Case

The case is a proposed Judicial Review against North Wales’ police’s decision not to prosecute my perpetrator.

My perpetrator’s behaviour, was ever increasing and escalating so I rang the police just for advice and I was adamant that I did not want to make a statement. The police officer came out to meet me and was encouraging me to make a statement as her sergeant really wanted me to put it on record as my perpetrator came up high on the DASH score due to his behaviour and him already been known to the police for violence and domestic abuse with at least one other partner that I am aware of and him being a real risk.

Thinking I was doing the right thing for justice for myself and to prevent it happening to someone else, bearing in mind the perpetrator had disclosed he had been accused before and I was also aware of other high risk factors. 

I put my faith in the police and the matter was then referred to a specialist police sexual violence unit called Amethyst priding itself to be victim lead. Unfortunately, this was far from my experience and from this point forward things went very wrong to what I can only describe as a surreal and unbelievable nightmare, which has left me completely traumatised.

What's at stake?

This is much bigger than just justice for myself, this is about North Wales Police and Amethyst Team process and understanding of such serious crimes and the victims that have endured these horrific crimes.

My aim is that no one else has to go through this absolutely nightmare. I have literally been traumatised by North Wales Police and if it wasn’t for the support I have had, the outcome for someone else may end in complete tragedy for another victim. 

I would like North Wales police to learn from their failings, to address and learn to safeguard victims and adhere to their own policies and ethos. To make sure they get further specialist training so they can recognise and understand victims of the trauma of sexual and domestic abuse, the defiantly require training on coercive control aspect so they can apply the law as it is written within the British law and justice system.

Without real accountability, I feel there’s no obligation to change. Unless the commitment to positive outcomes for victims is endorsed and supported at all levels by action, even when it risks tarnishing the corporate image, then it’s not credible.

If North Wales Police can’t be relied upon to do the right thing then they need to be held accountable. It could be you, or your daughter, son, wife, mother, husband, father – we all need the help of the police at some point in our life and we all need to know that we can trust them, that they are not corrupt and do not to cover up their mishandling’s.

These are a summary of some the concerns of my case with North Wales Police:

• Failure to fully investigate the rape, sexual offences, domestic abuse, including coercive control.
• Failure to recognise and understand domestic abuse, especially the coercive control aspect.
• Failure to gather evidence
• Inaccurate recording of evidence
• Ignored my request to add to statement and supply further evidence.
• Manipulating of facts
• Failure to safeguard
• Failure to refer to CPS due to the serious nature of the crime.
• Mishandling and use of my personal data.
• Failing to update victim within guidelines.
• Failure to respond to victim.
• Victim blamed
• The Victims Right to Review failed to address my concerns and only raised further questions and concerns.

Further to this I was subjected to being interrogated and victim blamed within my own home whilst being informed of the NFA decision by the DC and the PC I had been dealing with. The DC asked multiple times why he was not aware of certain evidence to the PC and his victims blaming comments were completely inappropriate. “He would understand it more if, if I was more injured and if I had got straight in the car and driven straight to the police station” I was subjected to numerous other similar horrific comments over the period they was in my home. He even asked why I had rung up to begin with, in the 101 log evidence it states I was adamant I did not want to make a statement and just wanted advice.

It was the police that had wanted this and encouraged me to report this crime. Sadly the PC dealing with the case, has manipulated the summary beyond recognition.

Their actions have further traumatised me and now this is much bigger than just obtaining justice and protecting the public from my perpetrator who is still now free to re-offend, this is now also about protecting further victims being subjected to as a victim and what I have had to endure with North Wales Police. To report a sexual and domestic abuse crime takes a lot of courage and it is my mission that they are dealt with in an appropriate and sensitive way.

How Much Do We Need to Raise?

We need, as a society, a police force who are accountable and who we can trust, therefore I’m asking for your help to raise a claim against North Wales Police. My initial target is set at £250.00, though fees are likely to be closer to £15,000.
Craig Court at Harding Evans Solicitors is committed to representing me and this amount will cover his fees to proceed to:

(1) Issue a letter of claim to be sent to the police,
(2) Instruct a barrister,
(3) (if necessary) claim to be issued;
(4) All your donations will help ensure police accountability and a personal resolution for me. I’m incredibly grateful for whatever amount you feel able to contribute.
(5) Complaint against North Wales police to hold them accountable.

How you can help

I would really appreciate it if you could share this campaign on your social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram and tell your followers that you have already given.

Thank you for your support and for helping us make this campaign a success and helping to protect future victims.

I can not do it without you!

Final Word

Verity Hope is a pseudonym. As this campaign is linked to a sexual assault and domestic abuse – and in view of the ongoing investigations and challenges I need to preserve my anonymity.