Statement from teacher raped by 15 year old pupil

Issued by the National Union of Teachers on behalf of the teacher who was raped by a 15 year old pupil in a London school.

“The last few weeks of delays in sentencing have been very hard to cope with. Until sentencing was over, I felt I couldn’t get on with putting my life back together again and returning to my career.

“I am glad the boy has been given a lengthy period of incarceration; not out of vengeance but to protect others from what I have been through. Incarceration alone is not enough. He needs help and treatment.

“Had he received that help and treatment at an earlier stage, maybe I would not have suffered at his hands.

“I now want to get back to teaching and to thank those who have helped me through the many months of pain and the last few weeks of frustration.

“In particular I want to thank the NUT but I also want to thank the Sexual Assault Referral Centre I have been attending, which has provided me with so much support and counselling over the months.

“Any one who goes through what I went through should not accept it in silence. The Sapphire Unit and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre have treated me and looked after me fantastically since that awful day last September. Until you find yourself having to, you can never be sure if you will have the courage to see justice done. Although I am deeply proud that I have been able to, I would have struggled even more without their help.

“After being sexually attacked, many women find it difficult to go to the police. Sexual Assault Referral Centres exist to care for you following an attack regardless of whether you are able to pursue a legal case.  It is vital that victims of rape and sexual assault use these services. You will be cared for in the immediate aftermath and supported in recovering.

“If you find you are able to bring your attacker to justice then they will make the process so much less traumatic, and they will liaise with the police in a sensitive manner. If more women used these services, more rapists would be caught.  Each time a rapist is convicted, no matter how old or young, that is one less threat in our society.”