EXCLUSIVE: Pips Taylor – Reporting the Unreported

Rape should not go unreported. TV & Radio Presenter & Rights of Women charity patron Pips Taylor discusses the importance of speaking out…
Rape is, unfortunately, a devastatingly common crime. I got involved with the BBC3 programme ‘I Never Said Yes’ to cover this issue and look at cases of reported and unreported rape in the UK, and for me, this was a project that I had to get involved with. As I have suffered a violent attack in Mexico, I felt I could also share my story and empathise in some way with the brave women who came forward to tell their story.
In getting involved I met with survivors who bravely shared their stories with me and spoke with several incredible charities (such as Rights of Women) who help females who have been victims of abuse to navigate the law and understand what rights they have.
One of the things I found most surprising when making the programme was the attitude of young people towards consent and where the grey line of consent is, especially women who are vulnerable. I feel that over the last few years there has been a change in this attitude and that young people now talk more about consent and discuss this, which is really important.
The landscape is changing more and women are fighting back; survivors of rape and violent sexual assault are taking back the power. In the documentary I learnt so much about our legal system, but unfortunately, cases are extremely hard to prove when it is one persons word against another and sometimes the juries don’t always get it right.
I feel that so many rape cases go unreported because it seems that the myths and stereotypes that we have in society regarding this can prevent people from coming forward. Survivors have suffered such a violation and it’s a personal choice for someone to want to report it or not. Survivors fear they may be judged, or even blamed for something that was not their fault.
This needs to change and the more we talk about it, the less it becomes one of societies taboos. Thankfully we are seeing more people share their stories through the brave movements of #metoo and #times up.
Whilst making ‘I Never Said Yes’ I met the charity Rights of Women. They created a leaflet called ‘From Report to Court’, which helped women navigate the legal system and prepare them for what lies ahead if choosing to report a rape incident. I loved their work and when they asked me to be their patron I was honoured.
I have since helped them to make films about how women can prepare for their day in the family court of law, and what measures they can ask for to protect themselves, as many survivors have to face their attacker in court.
As a woman I would also like to stress how the centenary of women’s right to vote this year is an important reminder of how brave the suffragettes were and I am incredibly thankful for what they fought for. I think it is amazing that we have had the right to vote for 100 years now! Us ladies should be proud to use our voice and make it heard.
AS well as being a broadcast star, Pips is global ambassador for Vital Voices Europe, which helps to pass knowledge forward to future female leaders in different communities.
Photo Credits: Joseph Sinclair