Rape – So You Think You Know?
26 Mar 2009
The Police Service and Policing Board are jointly hosting a conference today to highlight the realities of rape within Northern Ireland. ‘Rape –so you think you’ know will explore many of the myths surrounding rape in this country, the experiences of victims here, and the challenges faced by police and other bodies.
Police officers and staff, Policing Board and DPP members and people within the statutory, voluntary and health sectors will be attending the information day held in the Europa Hotel.
Commenting on the event, Policing Board Vice Chairman Barry Gilligan said: ”This conference is about raising awareness and understanding of the realities of rape. This is a crime that has the most devastating impact on victims.
“This week the Board published a detailed report on the issue of domestic abuse and today’s conference will receive a presentation on these findings. Domestic Rape is one of the most insidious yet under recognised of all forms of domestic abuse.
“The Board is pleased to join with the PSNI in supporting this conference and hopes it will provide a platform to discuss this serious issue and ensure that the best possible service is provided to rape victims from across the agencies. “
Detective Superintendent Karen Baxter, Head of the Rape Crime Unit, said: “Everyone in society has some level of prejudice and we want to change cultural attitudes to what exactly rape is.
“Rape is defined as having sex with somebody against his or her will. It doesn’t talk about alcohol or other factors like how they were dressed. It doesn’t talk about the fact that there may be an ongoing relationship between two people – it is simply about having sex without their consent.
“The conference is breaking new ground in Northern Ireland. It’s the first time so many professionals and interested parties will gather together to discuss the very emotive issues surrounding rape.
“We realise that communities, voluntary groups, DPPs and health professionals must come together, realise their roles and implement a joined up approach to tackling this crime. We all need to know our roles and ultimately concentrate on the needs of the victim and catching the perpetrator.”
Keynotes speakers will include Dr Cath White from Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester and Zoe Lodrick from Portsmouth Area Rape Crisis Service, while a local perspective will be delivered by Marcella Leonard, an independent social work consultant, John O’Doherty from the Rainbow Project and Superintendent Karen Baxter, Head of the Rape Crime Unit.
The Human Rights and Professional Standards Committee of the Northern Ireland Policing Board will present the findings of its Thematic Report on Domestic Abuse.
