As a rape victim I think Alun Cairns should resign over the trial ‘sabotage’ row – here’s why
Llinos Dafydd
According to the BBC, last year the Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns received an email informing him that a man who had worked for him in his constituency office had, according to a judge, ‘sabotaged’ a rape trial.
Despite this, Alun Cairns still allowed that man, Ross England to be picked as an Assembly candidate in the Vale of Glamorgan Assembly seat. And when it came to light, he denied knowing anything about the matter.
If the BBC’s story is accurate (and knowing the BBC, they wouldn’t publish unless they were entirely sure of their facts) then Alun Cairns should follow in Ross England’s footsteps and be de-selected as a candidate in the upcoming General Election while an investigation is conducted.
I was not surprised to see that a petition has already begun calling on him to resign. But while this matter will now be used as a political football to attack the Conservatives, there is something and someone much more important to remember here than scoring political points – the victim of the rape.
And not just her but the thousands of rape victims in this country who face a hard enough decision already attempting to secure justice for what was done to them.
Unforgivable
As a victim of rape myself at the age of 14 I know the physiological trauma that this crime can cause. The experience has scarred me mentally to this day.
And what is unforgivable about the Conservative party’s actions is that it has contributed to a culture where sexual assault and rape is one that is covered up and brushed under the carpet.
According to the charity Rape Crisis, 20% of women and 4% of men in Wales and England have experienced some type of sexual assault since the age of 16, equivalent to 3.4 million female and 631,000 male victims.
Despite this, conviction rates for rape are far lower than other crimes, with only 5.7% of reported rape cases ending in a conviction for the perpetrator.
One of the reasons for the low conviction rate is not just that society tends to blame the victim of rape, but also because the idea of going through a trial and giving evidence is such a psychologically difficult ordeal.
By collapsing the rape trial Ross England would have caused further strain to the victim.
And if Alun Cairns knew that this had happened and did nothing, he was saying that such behaviour was OK. He was saying that someone who did such a thing was worthy of being an elected member.
That’s unforgivable and it is why Alun Cairns should not stand in the Vale of Glamorgan.
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“If the BBC’s story is accurate (and knowing the BBC, they wouldn’t publish unless they were entirely sure of their facts)”
Really ? Lol, If the claims are true he has got alot to answer for and should resign, but that one line is laughable ! There has been 100s of documented times, the BBC reporting has not been accurate too fabricated stories !
Yeah, yeah very clever of you. Of course we know that BBC gets stuff wrong but this tosser’s disgraceful misdemeanour is a matter of public record and the subject of a formal letter from a judge. People like Llinos deserve support not pity or sympathy, although some of each can help with overcoming the trauma. Old rednecks, such as me, would happily endorse a harsher punishment for deviants of this kind but that doesn’t go down too well in our enlightened tolerant society. I admit that such retribution might not comfort the victim of rape but might cause those who… Read more »
And I totally agree with that, As I said if the BBC claims are correct, I hope everything is thrown at him (preferably sharp heavy objects) My concern here was everyone knows the BBC is not the most accurate source, and its written stating they’re
You belittle the subject and victims to turn it on to the BBC and their credibility. It is not a laughable matter. No matter what you may think of her comment.
Im pretty sure “innocent until proven guilty” applies here. I understand there is the element of emotional and physical trauma but if you punish someone with only accusation or speculation as evidence then we are nothing more than monkeys with clothes. (Although we have many monkeys in suits, here – here!) A juridical process is what seperates us from beasts – we give each other a fair trail. If not for this important process, then we would be back to drowning witches in rivers! I do not know of this case but allegedly doing something is not a fact, no… Read more »
Old boy’s net, needs investigation.
Now out of the Welsh Secretary role. Will now have to fight to hang onto the Vale seat. If he loses he has no one else to blame.
Keep feet on the ground here, eh? Man is accused of rape. Clearly a he said/she said case ie 50:50. (Defence wanted previous sexual history “in”. Judge rules “out”. Majority verdict. Attempt to appeal.) Echoes of Ched Evans case, but this one results in Guilty verdict which sticks. Witness defied judge, who reacts colourfully (known for it) but is NOT prosecuted for lying or otherwise punished by the Court. So what he said was apparently true. He probably thought that ruling sexual history “out” was unfair. (As happened in Ched Evans case.) So it is controversial. But what has Cairns… Read more »
The bus has gone, Jonathan.
I think he’s under the bus, or will be soon !
So the victim is lying and the defendant isn’t then. Is that what your saying. Or am I getting it wrong.