Johanna Robinson, Wales’ national adviser on violence against women and girls, has disclosed for the first time that she is a rape survivor. The revelation is intended to encourage others to come forward by making them feel understood and to promote public understanding of the crime. Robinson’s assault took place while she was asleep and was perpetrated by a man known to her. It took time for her to come to terms with what had happened to her and to report it to the police. Her subsequent reporting did not lead to a conviction.
Robinson acknowledges that men and boys may also be victims of rape and harassment. She encourages them, and everyone else, to be part of the solution to the issue of sexual assault. She has also spoken out about being harassed and expected to face negative judgement after speaking publicly about it.
Johanna has worked on initiatives such as the Welsh government’s Sound campaign which aims to empower young men to learn about and recognise gender-based violence. Her decision to share her story has been described as ‘courageous and brave’ by North Wales’ chief constable and the Wales lead for violence against women and girls, Amanda Blakeman. The issue of violence against women and girls continues to pose a complex challenge, one that is constantly changing, tied to the way society and technology develop.
She describes it as important that the key focus is on programmes that focus on breaking the cycle of abuse, especially focused on providing support for perpetrators so that they understand that their behavior is problematic. This kind of crime should not be a victim’s responsibility to stop. Rather, society must come together to address the root causes of sexual abuse and assault.
The Welsh government and its four police forces have made it a priority for Wales to become the safest place for women in Europe. They are on the front foot, trying to ensure that individuals perpetuating violence against women and girls have no place in policing. Anyone who feels unsafe or unhappy should feel free to pick up the phone and let the authorities know so that they can break the cycle of abuse. Survivors of violence or abuse should never feel shame or stigma around their experiences and should always be able to speak out with support
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