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Believe Me

(46 Posts)
GrannyGravy13 Tue 12-May-26 16:08:16

Is anyone watching this dramatisation of the Black Cab rapist John Worboys.

What the police put his female victims through is so harrowing.

It’s a really difficult watch, I do hope that the way women are treated when reporting a rape or sexual assault has changed.

merlotgran Tue 12-May-26 16:17:33

I’ve watched all of it, most of it in sheer disbelief and anger at how the women were treated by the police.
I won’t give anything away but at times it felt beyond unbelievable except we know it happened.
It also made me realise there was a lot more to Carrie Symonds than her taste in furnishings at No 10!

Ilovecheese Tue 12-May-26 16:20:04

Watched 2 episodes so far. Made me so angry about the way the women were treated.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 12-May-26 16:26:57

Ilovecheese

Watched 2 episodes so far. Made me so angry about the way the women were treated.

I am only two episodes in.

DH is rather fearful that I will launch whatever is to hand at the TV.

I think I have experienced anger, sadness, disbelief and fear that nothing has changed.

Victim blaming and misogyny alive and kicking 😡😡😡

Sarnia Tue 12-May-26 16:49:25

No wonder women suffer in silence rather than report it to the Police. Very disturbing if this is still the case and I rather fear it is.

Eloethan Wed 13-May-26 17:29:35

It was shocking at the time but now even more shocking when I see just how badly all those women were treated by the police -even referring to someone's red nail varnish.

Magenta8 Thu 14-May-26 20:21:02

I have just finished watching 'Believe Me' and I was very impressed with the high standard of realistic acting which made every scene believable. I found it interesting to see Philippa Dunne as Harriet Wistrich having seen her as Anne in Amandaland. I recommend watching 'Believe Me' although I found it very harrowing.

I found it somewhat ironic that the Met put out a statement at the end of the final episode with the usual bleat about procedures being reviewed etc.

I have just read that John Warboys has recently had another parole hearing and was turned down again thank goodness. He is due for another hearing in two years.

Retread Thu 14-May-26 20:39:08

I doubt he will ever actually be granted parole no matter how many times he tries to get out. Carrie Symonds (portrayed in the series) is now Mrs Boris Johnson.

Roxynounou Sun 17-May-26 14:08:40

My friends were discussing it yesterday. I'll definitely watch it on catch-up.

undines Sun 17-May-26 14:09:25

I have not seen this, but I can imagine it's harrowing. But there are other sides. A man, wrongfully accused of rape (by this I mean the woman concerned openly admits she cried 'Rape' to make an errant boyfriend jealous, e.g.) has his reputation permanently tarnished, his family traumatised from the arrest, and he has NO COME_BACK, because if he were able to sue his accuser then that would not be good for genuine rape victims who would then be afraid to come forward. There is also the fact that lots of men are raped also. And that Kier Starmer has still done nothing worthwhile about the Pakistani rape gangs. When something like this is aired that makes us all hopping mad, it takes attention from the wider picture. (Thinks....could there be a clue there...?)

Jane43 Sun 17-May-26 14:15:56

It is not true to say Keir Starmer has done nothing worthwhile about the Pakistani grooming gangs. His first action dates back to when he was DPP.

AI Overview
Sir Keir Starmer has taken several actions to counter grooming gangs, most notably by ordering a full statutory public inquiry into institutional failings regarding child sexual exploitation (CSE) and launching coordinated law enforcement operations through the National Crime Agency.
His specific actions and policies include:
Statutory Inquiry: After receiving a rapid audit by Dame Louise Casey, Starmer commissioned a sweeping national public inquiry into grooming gangs with the legal power to compel witnesses to give evidence.
National Crime Agency Intervention: He tasked the NCA with leading targeted investigations to re-examine historic group-based child abuse cases and aggressively pursue offenders who previously evaded justice.
Legislative Measures: His government has advanced legislative efforts to make 'grooming' an aggravating sentencing factor and introduced stricter mandatory reporting requirements for individuals working with children.
Historical CPS Reform: Dating back to his previous tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) between 2008 and 2013, Starmer updated Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance. This allowed vulnerable victims to be taken more seriously, enabling the prosecution of multiple grooming rings.

Nannylovesshopping Sun 17-May-26 14:30:56

Where can I watch this please?

missdeke Sun 17-May-26 14:40:14

GrannyGravy13

Is anyone watching this dramatisation of the Black Cab rapist John Worboys.

What the police put his female victims through is so harrowing.

It’s a really difficult watch, I do hope that the way women are treated when reporting a rape or sexual assault has changed.

I don't know if they are treated better or not, but apparently only 3-4 % of reported rape victims get a prosecution of their perpetrator. Approximately only 1 in 6 victims actually report it and less than 60% of those prosecuted actually get a conviction. Shocking figures.

Susieq62 Sun 17-May-26 14:41:47

Only watched two episodes so will catch up tonight ( Sunday). However, I really don’t think much has changed in terms of successful rates of convictions for rape. The victim has to be so clear with her evidence and be prepared to be vilified in court. I believe that there are rape suites now and female police officers who are trained to deal with the victims. The women who fought for Warboys never to be released were extremely brave and relentless.
The police do not come out of this well. I read that this director is also planning a series based on the Sarah Everard crime . Women still have to be vigilant don’t they ?

AGAA4 Sun 17-May-26 14:49:30

I believe over years many women won't have reported rape for fear they won't be believed. A man saying sex was consensual will have had his word taken.
The police force has been and is still in places misogynistic and a woman may not be believed if she reports rape.
I think things have improved. More trained policewomen in that area but I think women are still wary about reporting and I don't blame them.

BlueBelle Sun 17-May-26 14:52:54

Nothing has changed I m afraid
Itv Nannylovesshopping

lilydily9 Sun 17-May-26 15:03:38

Carrie Johnson (Symonds) has written that 2 of her friends have been raped in the past few years and nothing has changed.

Plunger Sun 17-May-26 15:10:20

I'm surprised so many find the way the women were treated as 'shocking'. It always has been disgusting and I don't think it has changed that much. A woman who has been attacked will have her dress, makeup and even the type of underwear questioned ie she was asking for it. Red nail varnish is exactly what would have make her 'sluttish'. Who betide if she's actually had a drink.

Susieq62 Sun 17-May-26 15:18:09

Plunger I agree
I had a conversation many years ago with my dad who was a retired police officer! He was commenting about a young woman’s dress ! I did point out that however she dressed she wasn’t asking to be assaulted! I wore hot pants and mini skirts in the day but never felt threatened by men ! 🤷‍♀️

Magenta8 Sun 17-May-26 15:23:38

undine I take your point about women who falsely report being raped but the number of cases is infinitesimal compared with the number of reported genuine rapes of women by men, let alone the large number of rapes that go unreported.

On the subject of male on male rape, I agree it does happen and it should be taken very seriously.

There have been several programmes about male on male rape and its devastating effects. Also programmes about false rape claims and the damage they can do to the accused.

But I think it was beyond the remit of 'Believe Me' to discuss these matters as the programme was specifically about the effect of being drugged and raped by John Warboys had on his victims, particularly the women featured in the dramatised programme.

WithNobsOnIt Sun 17-May-26 16:50:11

Sorry to say this. l think that some men deep feel that there is no such think as rape. They are entitled to have sex with any women whenever they want.

She has no say in the matter

Obviously,Worboys who clearly was an absolute Monster.

As for Steamer he may have tinkered at the edges to help women whilst at the DPP.

But this and past Labour Governments and the Police were really guilty in turning a blind eye for years re the gang rapes of under age girls throughout the country.

What sort of people act as though nothing has happened.

People who want to stay in their nice well.paid jobs, and people who want to get votes at any cost and stay in power

Galaxy Sun 17-May-26 16:54:56

Harriet Wistrich has done incredible work for many years, I am in awe of her really.

MT62 Sun 17-May-26 17:05:45

Just watched this whilst on holiday.
I felt compelled to watch.
Just brought it all back as was attacked in my 30s.
The questions the police asked, was I promiscuous. What colour did I like to wear (in case it attracted the guy). Just horrible.
Back to this drama.
What an amazing actor Daniel Mays is. He doesn’t look anything like Worboys but gosh he had the essence of the actual guy.
Also, I didn’t realise it was BJs now wife who was attacked. How brave was she?
They reckon he attacked hundreds of girls.
I think it’s something all young women should watch.
Great acting by the whole cast.

MT62 Sun 17-May-26 17:09:33

Nannylovesshopping

Where can I watch this please?

ITV x

Plevey08 Sun 17-May-26 17:46:37

Thanks for that full info. I thought he had pushed forward with this. However Jess Phillips on Laura Kuensberg this morning, was, in her opinion,before resigning said he wasn't acting decisively regarding online abuse.