‘They weren’t gonna leave the bedroom were they, so I tried to push past them to find another bedroom, but they stopped me. I thought they were joking so we started having a bit of banter. It was dark in the bedroom, but I could see their faces because there was a lamppost outside the house that was shining through the window. I don’t think there was anyone else in the room although maybe somebody came in later. When I tried to leave again, they stopped me.

‘At first, they kept trying to joke and chat and I played along for a bit, but then one of them held my arms and the other put something across my mouth. Then they put me on the bed and tried to make it out to be a game. When I resisted, the one holding my arms threw me on the floor and I tried to get up and run. I heard something, like a lock clicking and then I saw one of them pull down his trousers…’ [Victim pauses for several minutes and is visibly distressed.]

‘He got on top of me and pulled down my underwear… and… and then… he… forced me. I just kept trying to tell him to stop.’

‘Did the other male do anything to you?’

‘The first one said, “You wanna go, our kid?”’

‘Apart from that did either of them speak?’

‘No, I don’t think so. I don’t remember. I think one of them kept saying, “Hurry up!” He sounded a bit scared.’

‘I’m sorry, Ms Aiker, can you describe what happened after that?’

‘The first one got dressed. And then the other one…’ [Victim unable to continue and asks for a break. See section 5, transcript 2 of case file TD / 08 / 67 / 3876]

Claire closed the file, heart pounding, trying to block out the images, but they swooped in on her, insistent and audacious, like vultures on a corpse. Rose, outnumbered, lying there so petrified, wondering what would happen to her, the dawning realisation that she might not get out alive. Claire wondered what Rose was doing right now. Was she at home wondering if she would ever feel safe enough to go for a night out again?

Between the images, a memory pushed at her mind, Claire lying on a couch, partially undressed, Paul’s hands over her, and the shame hit her with full force. She wouldn’t think about that now. It was just one more reason to hand this case over to someone else and as quickly as possible. Rose had done the right thing, called the police, made a statement, and subjected herself to a physical exam. It was a strong case and one that could be won. Just not by Claire.

October 2017

7

‘Jamie! Shoes on! NOW!’

How many times…?

‘Can you help me, Mummy?’