ITV's new drama series, Believe Me, sheds light on the alarming similarities between the experiences of Sarah Adams, a victim of sexual assault 20 years ago, and the struggles faced by women today. Despite the Metropolitan Police's claims of reform, many women's accounts of domestic abuse and sexual assault continue to be undermined, particularly when the accused is a police officer.

Sarah Adams' Ordeal

Sarah Adams, a young single mother, was raped by her black cab driver after a night out in London. The police were openly skeptical of her claims, ignoring witness statements and implying that she was to blame because she had been drinking. This dismissive attitude is a recurring trend, as seen in the ongoing issues with how authorities handle such cases.

Systemic Issues in Policing

Writer Jeff Pope's four-part drama, Believe Me, which continues tonight, is filled with anger towards the Metropolitan Police and their resistance to investigating sexual assaults. Pope is also working on a series about the murder of Sarah Everard in 2021 by a police officer. The show focuses not only on the crimes but also on the authorities' refusal to treat victims as credible and truthful.

Sarah, played by Aimee-Ffion Edwards, faces disapproval from an NHS nurse, dismissive detectives, and a lack of empathy from a police medic. Another officer tells her she isn't showing enough emotion, despite being told earlier that the police wanted 'facts, not tears.' These issues are still prevalent today, with women reporting that their stories of domestic abuse, rape, and sexual assault are not taken seriously.

Progress and Setbacks

The Metropolitan Police has made efforts to address institutional racism since the Macpherson report in 1999. However, it appears that similar efforts have not been made to change attitudes towards crimes against women. The series highlights the refusal of authorities to treat victims as credible and truthful, including Sarah and other victims like Carrie Symonds, who was drugged by Worboys but escaped assault.

A Crucial Change

One significant change in the past 20 years is the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones. Sarah Adams forgot to take her phone on her night out, which was not unusual at the time. Today, such a device could provide crucial evidence to find and stop perpetrators like John Worboys much earlier.