A SHARP rise in reports of rape in Croydon in the last year has been welcomed by the head of a sexual violence support service.
Figures, published this week, show overall crime fell by 9.5 per cent in the 2013/14 financial year.
But, amid an encouraging fall in offences such as robbery and gun crime, domestic violence is up 15 per cent and rape has increased 32 per cent.
Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of Rape Crisis South London, said the statistics reflected growing confidence among women in reporting sexual violence.
"The fact that more people are reporting rape means there is more confidence in the judicial system, which is positive," she told the Advertiser.
"Hopefully it will serve to warn the perpetrators that more women are speaking out."
Borough Commander David Musker welcomed the reduction in overall crime and echoed the view that more victims are reporting rape and domestic abuse.
Chief Superintendent Musker said rape - up from 178 offences to 236 - was a "vastly under-reported crime".
He added: "The increase here in Croydon is on a similar scale to what we've seen across London and this suggests that more victims are having the confidence to come and report these serious crimes to us, which can only be a good thing."
Ms Traynor said the increase in rape reports was, in part, a result of a change in the way the media has reported sexual violence.
"There has been a huge increase in the number of people contacting us as well as a rise in reports to the police," she said.
"Women are talking about it now whereas, in the past, it used to be this hidden, secretive crime.
"I believe there's been a change in the way the media reports sexual violence.
"In the past, too many newspapers blamed women when someone was found not guilty.
"A not guilty verdict doesn't mean to say it didn't happen, it's just that there wasn't enough evidence to prove it.
"That's changed now. There is so much coverage. The media are taking the lead in showing women that it's okay to talk about it."
Ms Traynor also credited the work of independent sexual violence advocates (ISVA), who support victims throughout the judicial process.
"The evidence shows that where there are ISVAs, women go to trial," she said.
"If we want to build on this growing confidence, there has to be funding to recruit more people who do this vital work.""Anonymity for rape accused would be wrong"
A SERIES of acquittals in high profile cases has reignited the debate over whether defendants in sex cases should have their identities protected until they are convicted.
Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of Rape Crisis South London, said giving suspects the same right to anonymity as complainants would lead less people to report offences to police.
"That's exactly the wrong thing to be doing as we have seen in the Jimmy Saville case," said Ms Traynor.
"As soon as the perpetrator was known, other victims came forward. That happens in a lot of cases."
Ms Traynor added: "Perpetrators don't strike once. That's a fallacy.
"If they have got away with it then they will carry on doing it.
"If they have anonymity them, fewer people will come forward and it will be harder to catch those responsible." To contact Rape Crisis South London call 020 8683 3311 or call the national helpline on 0808 802 9999.
