Amina*, another survivor of sexual violence, who belongs to the group Women Against Rape (WAR), told openDemocracy: “It’s outrageous Johnson gave Pincher that job, knowing the complaint from 2019…
“They think they can get away with everything, a law unto themselves.”
Sophia*, also a member of WAR, echoes these thoughts: “Johnson’s lies, racism and cronyism have spread throughout society. This government personifies injustice and corruption.”
She argues that the government has effectively decriminalised rape, under the radar, with prosecutions having dropped to the lowest since records began – despite an increase in reporting.
Reanna*, another sexual abuse survivor from WAR, says people like her have heard “the same message for years: women and girls and anyone abused don’t matter” – even though “the #MeToo movement spelled out abuse in every workplace.”
The treatment of sexual violence survivors echoes that of asylum seekers in this country, Reanna says: they are not believed, not taken seriously and not cared for.
Abuse of power
“We watch the government's response to the Chris Pincher episode and all we see is the misogynistic 'old boys’ network' at work,” said Ngozi Fulani, CEO and founder of Sistah Space, a community-based domestic violence service for African women and girls.
“We can't feign surprise – it has always been clear that being white, male and of a particular class means that you can do whatever you want and will not be held accountable… unless there is a big enough public outcry,” Fulani added.
Deniz Uğur, deputy director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, points out: “The government continues to insist that tackling violence against women is a top priority, but we’re seeing a series of MPs face sexual assault and misconduct allegations, which indicates otherwise.”
She adds that because politicians determine policy on women’s equality, criminal justice and public services in relation to sexual violence, it is “critical that they set a positive example” and are held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.