A survivor of sexual abuse, identified publicly as Tina, has spoken out for the first time about what she describes as decades of police failure to adequately address her case. The abuse began when she was 15 years old. Her civil claim against the Metropolitan Police, represented by Iftikhar Manzoor of Hudgell Solicitors, focused on the force's alleged negligence and violation of human rights.
Manzoor stated that the police's approach to vulnerable women in the 1990s was significantly different and that Tina's repeated pleas for help were not taken seriously. The civil claim, brought under negligence and Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, sought accountability and answers, not solely financial compensation. While legal obstacles related to time limits existed, the Metropolitan Police agreed to negotiations.
The Metropolitan Police acknowledged in a statement that "more should have been done at the time to protect her." The civil settlement, reached on March 19, was made without an admission of liability. A review by the force's Directorate of Professional Standards examined its handling of three reports Tina made against her abuser between 1991 and 2018 but found no misconduct by the officers involved.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police indicated that there have been "learnings for the Met" and that the force has since revised its procedures for investigating rape and sexual offenses, asserting that "every woman and girl in London deserves to feel safe." The statement also noted that arrests and charges for rape in London have more than doubled in the past year.
Tina, speaking publicly now, hopes her story will encourage others who have experienced abuse, regardless of how long ago it occurred. She emphasized that it is "never, ever too late" for victims to come forward and for others to "do the right thing." She believes that speaking out is important and that if her experience can help even one person, it has been worthwhile.