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Heidi Clutterbuck, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, is taking legal action against West Mercia Police after an officer disclosed her identity to a member of the public. Clutterbuck had reported her brother, Jimmy Guthrie, for abusing her from ages six to ten back in the 1990s. Despite having the legal right to lifelong anonymity as a victim of sexual abuse, the police admitted that her name was revealed to someone who subsequently contacted her, causing significant distress. Clutterbuck expressed her frustration, stating, “It should have been my choice to reveal I was a victim – they took that from me.”
After reporting her abuse more than three decades ago, along with several other women, no action was taken against Guthrie, who passed away in 2012. In 2014, Clutterbuck and her family received police protection due to threats, but their safety was further compromised when individuals who knew about her case began reaching out to her. Feeling fearful and vulnerable, Clutterbuck had to take additional security measures to safeguard her family, including installing CCTV cameras and alarm systems. The breach of her anonymity by the police had significant repercussions on her well-being and sense of security.
Despite West Mercia Police closing the investigation into her abuse following Guthrie’s death in 2016, Clutterbuck continued to pursue justice for the violation of her privacy. The force initially denied wrongdoing but later admitted to negligently breaching her anonymity. Clutterbuck’s determination to seek accountability led her to initiate legal proceedings against the police in 2018. Her case is scheduled to be heard in the High Court next year, seeking damages for the harm caused by the unauthorized disclosure of her identity. Maria Mulla, Clutterbuck’s lawyer, emphasized the importance of survivors’ right to anonymity, which is legally protected and was infringed upon by West Mercia Police in this instance
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