TV presenter Stacey Dooley has made a shocking admission, revealing that she would not feel confident going to the police if she were raped. 

The 38-year-old journalist, known for her hard-hitting documentaries, is currently fronting a new BBC series, Rape on Trial, 

which investigates the challenges victims face when seeking justice.

Dooley’s comments highlight a troubling reality within the UK legal system, where victims of sexual violence often struggle to have their cases heard. 

She described her realization as “bleak” and “disappointing,” emphasizing 

that her experiences working on the documentary have led her to question whether survivors are truly supported by the justice system.

Exploring the Flaws in the System

The BBC’s Rape on Trial is a two-part documentary that sheds light on the long delays in court cases and the grueling process survivors must endure. Dooley, who has spent years investigating social issues, spoke candidly about her concerns in an interview with Radio Times. She admitted that she empathizes with victims who hesitate to report their assaults, stating, “It’s one of the few crimes where your credibility is immediately brought into question.”

Filmed over three years, the documentary follows the stories of three young women who have bravely waived their right to anonymity to share their experiences. Jessie, 23, reported being raped by an ex-boyfriend. Emma, 19, claims she was orally raped by a fellow student. Becca, 22, says she was assaulted by someone she had been dating, despite engaging in consensual sex earlier that evening.

Each of these women faces a difficult legal battle, with their cases relying heavily on personal testimony. As their trials progress, they must endure intense cross-examinations, where their credibility is scrutinized, and their words dissected. The documentary exposes how the justice system often puts victims on trial as much as the accused.

A Culture of Doubt and Disbelief

Dooley pointed out that one of the biggest barriers to justice is the perception that victims are not believed. She referenced the case of Gisèle Pelicot, a French woman who was drugged and repeatedly raped by her husband, Dominique Pelicot, along with dozens of other men between 2011 and 2020. Despite the horrors she endured, Gisèle’s testimony has inspired many women to come forward.

“Obviously, I think she’s a f***ing powerhouse,” Dooley said, praising Pelicot’s bravery. However, she acknowledged that many victims still fear reporting their experiences, worrying about whether their stories will be taken seriously. “The concern is always, ‘If I go to the police, will they believe me?’” Dooley added.

The Harrowing Statistics of Sexual Violence Cases

The documentary also highlights the alarming statistics surrounding rape prosecutions in the UK. Less than 2% of reported sexual assaults result in a conviction. However, when cases do proceed to trial, the conviction rate rises to over 50%. These figures underscore the significant challenges victims face in bringing perpetrators to justice.

One of the most shocking moments in Rape on Trial comes in the second episode when Becca, one of the women featured in the series, is advised not to attend the remainder of her court case after giving her testimony. She was warned that appearing too confident might negatively impact the jury’s perception of her.

Dooley was appalled by this revelation, stating, “The idea that you have to play a role seems wildly outdated to me.” Her reaction highlights the outdated and problematic attitudes that persist in legal proceedings, where victims are often expected to behave in a certain way to be deemed credible.

A Call for Change

With Rape on Trial, Stacey Dooley hopes to spark important conversations about the way sexual violence cases are handled in the UK. By giving survivors a platform to share their stories, she aims to expose the deep-rooted issues in the justice system and push for reform.

Dooley acknowledged the courage of the women who participated in the documentary, expressing gratitude for their willingness to be so open about their experiences. “The access felt pretty unprecedented, the girls were so very generous with their stories and time, and we definitely didn’t take that for granted,” she said.

Her work continues to shed light on the realities of sexual violence and the urgent need for systemic change. As more survivors come forward and demand justice, the hope is that the legal system will evolve to better support them—ensuring that no one has to feel the way Stacey Dooley does about reporting a crime.

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