Police in Tayside are investigating an allegation of rape almost every week but concerned experts have insisted that this represents just a tiny fraction of offences being committed in the area.
Information released to The Courier by police officials has revealed that 148 instances of rape were reported to the force between 2008 and 2010, along with 385 indecent assaults, 10 acts of sodomy and three of both sexual assault and rape.
And while Rape Crisis Scotland co-ordinator Sandy Brindley called the figures “worrying,” she insisted there were thousands more victims across the region who suffered similar attacks in silence.
Recent estimates have suggested that up to 70% of rape victims never contact police and Ms Brindley admitted that there is still “a big problem of under-reporting.”
“When people think of rape, they think of a woman being pulled behind a bush and struggling with her attacker, ending up with lots of physical injuries,” she said, “But in our experience the vast majority of victims are raped by someone that is known to them.”
The investigation carried out by The Courier also revealed that over 1000 sexual offences were reported to police in Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Angus over the past three years and the overwhelming majority of alleged victims were female.
But Ms Brindley insists that many women are unwilling to come forward as they are scared they will not be taken seriously. She urged those who had experienced rape or sexual assault to call the Dundee-based Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, where specially trained staff could outline a victim’s options and even accompany them to the police station. The centre can be contacted on 01382 201291.
Tayside Police has also insisted it has stepped up the support offered to alleged victims, who are now allocated a sexual offences liaison officer to support them throughout the criminal justice process.
Chief Superintendent Roddy Ross said, “Tayside Police is also working closely with its partners to develop a sexual assault referral network that will allow people to come forward at an early stage after being assaulted but without having to formalise a report.
“This will allow a forensic examination to be carried out and ensure investigative opportunities are not lost.”