In October, business coach Rebecca Amin was taken aback when her male client, who had requested career coaching, appeared on a video call with his lower half exposed. Shocked and feeling violated, Rebecca decided to report the incident to the local police. However, she was disappointed by their response, as they explained that due to the client being in India, there was little they could do besides keeping a record of the incident.
Rebecca’s experience is not unique, as other victims of obscene calls and indecent exposure have reported police failing to properly investigate such cases. This issue was highlighted following reports of failures by police forces in handling reports of malicious and sexualized phone calls. Some victims of “non-contact sexual offenses” have expressed feeling violated and not receiving the appropriate support from law enforcement.
Minister for safeguarding Jess Phillips emphasized the importance of taking these offenses seriously, stating that any suggestion of authorities not prioritizing such cases is unacceptable. Police chiefs have acknowledged that not all victims receive the necessary support and that some forces have fallen short in addressing these types of offenses.
Rebecca shared her story on social media and discovered that other women had similar experiences with the same individual. Despite providing police with crucial information, including names of other victims and contacts at the video-hosting platform, Rebecca felt that authorities did not prioritize the case or follow up adequately. She expressed concerns that the incident could escalate into something more serious if left unchecked.
After BBC News intervened, Surrey Police reached out to Rebecca and acknowledged the delays in investigating her case. They assured her that her case is now being pursued further, acknowledging their shortcomings in handling the matter promptly and effectively.
In another instance, 83-year-old Barbara Marsden disclosed to her daughter, Sally, that a workman who had visited her home in Lancashire had indecently exposed himself to her in 2020. Sally recounted her mother’s distressing experience and highlighted the need for law enforcement to assess the risks posed by offenders in such incidents.
Reportedly, a workman purportedly exposed himself to Barbara by showing her his genitals. Security footage outside Barbara’s residence captured the worker unzipping and then zipping up his trousers. Sally, a lawyer, reported the incident to the authorities. However, though the assigned officer was helpful and proactive, she believes that the system failed her mother. Sally Marsden, Barbara’s daughter, had to persuade prosecutors not to drop the case, expressing her frustration with the slow progress and feeling like she was leading the investigation. When the police finally conducted a video interview with Barbara four months later, her dementia had rendered her unable to recall the specifics of the event. Sally had to conduct her own research to locate the suspect’s address and convince prosecutors to pursue the case. The trial took over three years to reach, leaving Sally concerned that the man might have escalated his offenses. She raised the issue of potential risks posed by offenders like him, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to recognize the dangers. Although a man was arrested and charged in connection with the indecent exposure, he was later acquitted after a trial, according to Lancashire Police. The man was subsequently convicted in a separate case involving indecent images of a child. Dame Vera Baird stressed the urgency of prioritizing violence against women and girls, urging authorities to address non-contact sexual offenses more seriously. Another individual, Lara Burns, experienced harassment via obscene phone calls, prompting her to report the incidents to Hertfordshire Police. Despite initial investigations and support from Victim Support, Lara felt violated and unsafe, highlighting the lasting impact of such incidents on victims.
The impact on her was profound, as she questioned why the authorities had not taken more decisive action. Hertfordshire Police responded to inquiries from the BBC by stating that they were unable to pinpoint the source of the harassing calls. The police disclosed that they had made multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach Lara before resorting to sending her a letter informing her that the investigation could not be pursued any further. The law enforcement agency asserted that they had diligently pursued all reasonable leads in line with the gravity of the reported offenses. If you have been affected by the issues raised in this account, assistance and guidance can be sought through the BBC Action Line. In response to the distressing experiences recounted by some victims, Jess Phillips expressed regret and emphasized the gravity of sexual offenses even in the absence of physical contact. Phillips recognized the challenges faced by police due to resource constraints but stressed that combating violence against women and girls must be a paramount concern for law enforcement agencies, not merely an optional undertaking. The National Police Chiefs’ Council acknowledged shortcomings in handling cases of non-contact sexual crimes and vowed to enhance the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions in such instances. In instances where the police response has proven inadequate and failed to deliver justice for victims, the Council expressed a commitment to rectifying these shortcomings and improving outcomes for those affected. For further information and support, please refer to Victim Support for additional assistance.
