Sexual assault and rape does not always happen by being dragged into a dark alley way by a stranger. According to Rape Criss England & Wales 1 in 3 adults who are raped experience it in their own home.

John and Sue had been friends for years. They were both out for an evening as part of a group of friends who met regularly. At the end of the night, when John’s train home was cancelled Sue offered him her sofa for the night without another thought.

The had both been drinking. When they got back to her flat, he kept trying to put his hands under her top. She pushed him off and blamed the drink gave him a blanket for the sofa and went to bed in her room.

Sue was woken by the weight of John on top of her forcing himself on her. She screamed out and tried to push him off, but he was too heavy. He was repeating that he had always liked her, and thought she liked him.

Afterwards John fell asleep, and Sue lay thinking about what had happened, sobbing. In the morning he made his excuses and quickly left for work. She sent John a string of messages saying he had no right to do what he did, and that she had not agreed to it. Sue talked it through with a friend on the phone who made her realise it was rape and she agreed to report it to the police.

The police officers took a statement from her, and they interviewed John. He did not deny that they had sex, but said that she asked him back to her place and that she agreed. It was only when the police looked at the messages on Sue’s phone that they agreed to pass the matter to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for a charging decision.

The CPS agreed to press charges and the case went to court. Sue was very disappointed with the not guilty verdict.

Sue was still able to make a claim for compensation with Winston Solicitors through the CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) scheme. Her lawyer helped get her claim through, despite the not guilty verdict.

Sue was awarded £11,000 in compensation and was able to go on and use this to arrange some private therapy.