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A rape victim has chosen to speak out about what life has been like since the assault in 2009.
The interview, filmed by Hampshire Constabulary, coincides with Rape Awareness Week.
The victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, explains candidly in the interview what day-to-day life has been like following a stranger rape two and a half years ago.
Assaults increase in summer
Analysis of sexual assault cases indicates there is often an increase in reports of assaults during the summer months, possibly the result of lighter evenings encouraging people to stay out drinking for longer or the increasing number of young people socialising during the summer break.
Acquaintance rapes
Hampshire Constabulary is also seeing an increasing trend in reports of rapes involving people who know each other. Almost half of all rapes reported to the force are acquaintance rapes.
Consent is one of the biggest issues in reported incidents of rape and sexual assault. And alcohol and/or drugs play a large part, impacting individual’s judgement and ability to make rational decisions, both on the part of the victim and the perpetrator.
Detective Inspector Ben Snuggs said "We, along with our partners, want to raise awareness of the current issues of rape and sexual assault and provide people with the information to help prevent them from becoming a victim, encourage those who have been sexually assaulted to report it and give details of where to go for help and support.
"At all times the campaign seeks to reassure victims that anyone who reports a sexual assault will be treated with dignity and respect and that all reports are taken very seriously and dealt with in a sensitive, professional and non-judgemental way."
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