In terms of their believing of rape myths, this may not be appropriate or get through but these words from a woman who's rapist was convicted in Manchester last week are, I feel, moving:
“I don’t have the words to describe how I feel about Neil. The overriding feeling is anger. He doesn’t deserve to ever be let out. There is no way that someone like that should ever be allowed to walk the streets again.
“There are a lot of cases where rapists aren’t caught, where people haven’t come forward because they might be afraid of the police not believing them.
“I want to say if anyone has had a similar thing happen to them, come forward. If I hadn’t come forward this person would still be out there, doing what he did to me to other people.
“My life has changed now. It’s affected me, my family, my health. I’m coming to terms with it, with wondering why me? I’m not going to be able to answer that.
“I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I worry a lot now, I’ve very nervous about situations. I’m now very shy around people I don’t know. I was shy when I was younger but I managed to get over that and this has brought it all back home.
“A couple of weeks ago I felt like I couldn’t cope any more. Everyone in my life has been affected, even though it happened to me.
“The emotional effects on my mum where she started to suffer badly with anxiety and depression. She doesn’t really sleep or eat.
“My relationship with my dad is now also very strained. We rarely speak now and he has been very distant from me. I think he is struggling to come to terms with what happened.
“When I’m walking about on my own outside I feel as though I’m now on high alert, constantly looking over my shoulder and about, in a way, suspecting everyone I come across on the street.
“Before Neil did what he did I was in my second year of university. But after this, I couldn’t even get myself out of bed to find the energy or the mental strength to go into uni. As a direct result of Neil, I left university and I am no longer in full time education while I try to focus on putting my life back together.
“I now share a flat with girls who have been through similar things in their lives. I’m worried what is going to come next for me, emotionally. But now I have closure and I want to get on with my life.”
I think it articulates so sadly well the impact of this horrific crime, and touches on how many women don't report as they don't think they'll be believed (contrary to what inaccurate, misogynist rape myths make some believe).