Documentary maker Stacey Dooley was left shocked by her findings for in new BBC two part film called Rape On Trial
Stacey Dooley has admitted she would not feel confident to go to the police if she was raped.
The TV presenter, 38, is fronting a new series of documentaries which includes two-part BBC programme Rape On Trial, which covers the delays to court cases and waiting times for victims of alleged rape and sexual assault. Stacey said: “If somebody raped me, I don’t think I would go to the police, which is so bleak and such a disappointing realisation…But in terms of what I’ve witnessed, I wouldn’t feel confident.”
She also said that women have been inspired by France’s Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband Dominique Pelicot, and raped by him and dozens of other men, between 2011 and 2020. Speaking to Radio Times, she added: “Obviously, I think she’s a f***ing powerhouse,” says Stacey, “but I wonder if even she really understands the magnitude of what she’s done for other women. Because, with the women I spoke to, the concern was always, ‘If I go to the police, will they believe me?’ It’s one of the few crimes where your credibility is immediately brought into question. The bravery it takes is unbelievable.”
Filmed over three years, the documentary follows 23-year-old Jessie who has reported being raped by an ex-boyfriend, 19-year-old Emma who says she has been orally raped by a fellow college student, and 22-year-old Becca who reported being raped by someone she was dating, having had consensual sex earlier that evening.
They have all waived their legal right to anonymity, as they fight to have their voices heard in a system under immense strain. Once their case begins, they will face intense cross-examinations, with verdicts sometimes resting solely on their word. But in cases built on personal testimony alone, verdicts sometimes rest solely on whom the jury believes.
Stacey said: “It’s very well documented that we have this problem that’s very prolific in the UK where so few cases of reported rape are coming to trial, and so I think all of us (myself, the director and producer) were really keen to cover this subject because we wanted to figure out what it means for real people. The access felt pretty unprecedented, the girls were so very generous with their stories and time, and we definitely didn’t take that for granted. We spoke to their family members as well, they didn’t have to come forward and be so honest either so we were grateful for that.”
Less than 2% of reported sexual assaults result in conviction, though this increases to over 50% for cases that proceed to trial. As their trials near, the women learn that credibility also plays a pivotal role.
During the second episode, Stacey hears that Becca received advice to abstain from attending the rest of the court proceedings after her testimony, cautioned that projecting too much confidence might adversely affect her case’s outcome. Stacey is shocked and said the idea you have to play a role seems “wildly outdated to me”.
On the doc in general, Stacey added: “I hope that the audience take away the magnitude and the scale of the problem, as well as the complications that can arise. My personal opinion is that this is the only crime where immediately there is scepticism surrounding the credibility of the person coming forward. So I think that in itself is very interesting. I hope people find it useful, insightful and that it starts a conversation.”
There is a record-high crown court backlog in England and Wales, which has almost doubled in five years to 73,105 at the end of September last year. The Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove published a report earlier this month which found many victims of serious offences including rape, murder and robbery, are facing years-long waits for justice.
Stacey’s series, which launches later this week, also includes episodes on shoplifting and romany gypsys. She admits she did some shoplifting when she was a teenager aged around 13 or 14. “Obviously, you look back and think, ‘What the f*** was I doing?” She said
* Rape on Trial will be available on BBC iPlayer from Thursday 13th March. It will air as a double bill on BBC Three at 9pm on Thursday 13th March, and repeat on BBC One later in March.
You can contact our 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line and speak to Rape Crisis at any time of the day or night on 0808 500 2222
