Too few women would report sex crime, say police

Digital posters are being used to promote the Taking Action campaign across Merseyside

A police force has said it was "staggered" to learn how many women would not report sexual violence if they suffered it.

Merseyside Police said of 4,000 women it spoke to 71% of women still lived in fear of sexual assault and 69% said they would not report an incident to the police.

The figures were revealed as the force launched its Taking Action campaign, aimed at encouraging women and girls to report incidents, improve the system for reporting offences and put a greater focus on helping victims.

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said the campaign was about ensuring there was a constant dialogue with women and girls.

Emily Spurrell said she wanted to ensure women and girls were getting "the right response"

Ms Spurrell said: "The statistics set out in this campaign are hard-hitting and show the scale of the issue right here in Merseyside.

"They are stark, but they are sadly not surprising."

She said women's voices "must be at the heart of our work to prevent, reduce and tackle the violence and abuse they face in our communities, day in day out".

"It's vital we continue to listen to them so we can effectively build on the work that has already been delivered but crucially, to ensure we are taking the right action to protect them, bring perpetrators justice and provide the support they need," she said.

She added she wanted to reassure women and girls that "if they do experience something then the police wants to know about it".

"We want to make sure that women and girls are getting the right response," she said, adding the force "takes these issues incredibly seriously".