Lincolnshire Police offer support to women after series of sexual assaults

They insist that “sexual assault is never the result of the behaviour of the victim” a message echoed by Jade Hope John, who is staging a protest walk in Sleaford on Saturday night after a woman was sexually assaulted on Mareham Pastures nature reserve in the early hours of Monday July 12.

Jade told The Sleaford Standard: “For me, I feel like I have lost a personal freedom, as I no longer feel safe to walk alone in my own town at night, and that is simply not okay.”

The walk will set off at 10pm from the Mareham Pastures car park off Mareham Lane and head up into the town’s Market Place.

Over the last two weeks police have issued appeals regarding separate incidents of sexual assault: the one in Sleaford, another at Boston Market Place and one outside the Co-op funeral home on Tritton Road in Lincoln. In a further incident a woman was approached by a man near woods in Ancaster who made sexual advances and comments toweards her on Saturday July 17. There have been no arrests regarding these incidents yet.

Police say they do not have evidence to suggest any of the incidents are connected but know each incident can affect how safe people may feel, particularly women and girls.

They added that while investigating these incidents, leaving no stone unturned, they are proactively highlighting their stance on sexual assault, encouraging reporting and signposting to the support available.

Detective Chief Supt Andy Cox said: “Sexual assault is a devastating crime. If you have been affected, please come to us and trust us to do our job with the upmost sensitivity. We have dedicated and specially trained officers to help you. We understand not everyone wants to report to us but regardless of your choice, there is help and support available that we want you to know about.”

Pushing back against any feelings that women may have about going out at night, he said: “We will not tell women and girls not to walk alone. We will not tell women and girls that they should change their behaviour. Sexual assault is never the result of the behaviour of the victim. It is, 100 per cent, always the fault of the perpetrator.

“We will raise awareness of the support available. Spring Lodge is the Lincolnshire Sexual Assault Referral Clinic. They have incredible people doing difficult and vital work. They are independent of the police and available whether or not you want to talk to us.

“We will be communicating on resources and initiatives designed to help protect you such as Hollie Guard, a personal safety app for your mobile phone, and the silent solution for if you call us on 999 but speaking could put you in danger.

“We would also like to reiterate our appeals for information. If you have any concerns, suspicions, or information to help with these investigations, please call us.”

Hollie Guard is an app for your phone for extra protection when travelling alone. In danger? A simple shake activates Hollie Guard, automatically sending your location and audio/video evidence to your contacts.

If you are calling 999 for help, and speaking would put you in danger, do not speak. Respond to the operator in whatever way you can. They may ask you to tap the handset, make a noise or press 55. This will help them know if you need us urgently. This is the Silent Solution.

Help and support

If you need help, or more information, please visit their section on sexual assault.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault remember that what has happened is not your fault. You are not to blame and there is help for you.

If you are hurt and need medical attention, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to your local Accident and Emergency department. Otherwise, go somewhere where you feel safe.

Try not to be alone. See if a friend or someone you trust can be with you. Talk to someone about what has happened. In addition to this, or if you don’t feel like talking to a friend or family member yet, consider contacting the sexual assault referral clinic Spring Lodge or Lincolnshire Rape Crisis.

To report any recent or non-recent incidents call 101 or 999 if it is an emergency. They have specially trained officers to investigate and support you through the process.