New guidelines issued today urge victims of sexual harassment or abuse to complain at the time the offence is taking place, rather than decades afterwards.
The announcement came in response to 65 further allegations against former Harrods owner Mohammed al Fayed, following the TV documentary “Predator at Harrods”.
“Obviously we welcome anyone with knowledge of a crime coming forward,” said Chief Constable Dimbleby Dimbleby. “Though I have to say, it would be more useful if you told us soon after the crime occurred, and preferably while the perpetrator was still alive.”
Feminist groups dismissed this as “yet another example of victim blaming. Here we have evil predatory men having their wicked way, and as always it’s the women who are asked to change their behaviour.”
The spokeswoman also said that well known figures like al Fayed, Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein were “just the tip of the iceberg” and there were many more powerful men behaving the same way, but helpfully refused to give any details of who they are.
A witness who was due to give evidence against al Fayed failed to show up at the hearing, having been hit by a dangerous driver as she was crossing the road. Asked if she’d reported this to the police, she said “I think I’ll wait 25 years and see if there’s a documentary about the same guy running over lots of other people. If so, I’ll come forward.”
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