Police fail to investigate rape claim

The BBC reports how a woman whose complaint of rape, was not investigated by the police has secured an award of compensation.

The woman, who suffers from mental health problems reported the rape to the police but they failed to deal with it. She enlisted lawyers to make a claim under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Article 3 states:-

“No one shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

In the end, £3500 was paid out by the police by way of compensation and a full apology was secured.

This case demonstrates the vulnerability of people with mental health problems, and the predatory nature of sex offenders, who carry on offending because they know they can do so with impunity.

See BBC News 1 December 2009 ” I was a woman of no importance”

Another case of suspected abuse against a person with mental illness was reported by the BBC.

The BBC reports how a care worker at Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire has been charged with four sex offences against a mentally ill patient. She is due to appear at Maidenhead Magistrates Court on the 23^rd December 2009.

Sections 30 to 33 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 deal with sexual offences against a person with a mental disorder. The Act makes it an offence to cause or incite a person who is unable to refuse such activity because of, or for a reason related to, a mental disorder.

See BBC News 1 December 2009 Broadmoor worker accused of abuse

Recent news stories and our experience at Malcolm Johnson & Co. have shown us that sexual predators come in all shapes and sizes, and this and many other cases, sexes.