Don’t be scared by holiday rape stories – Comment by Jeremy Skidmore

As we head towards peak season the annual scare stories about rapes and sexual assaults in resorts are raising their ugly heads.

Of course there will be some attacks this summer which will be splattered across the tabloid newspapers.

That’s not because it’s dangerous to go on holiday. It’s just that with millions of people away, some attacks are bound to happen as they will to some of the millions of people who stay in the UK.

The underlying suggestion in some quarters that you’re more likely to be attacked by a Spaniard or a Greek than a fellow Brit is crass nonsense. It’s also rubbish to suggest British youths become potential rapists with a few pints of lager inside them.

Unfortunately women – and sometimes men – are taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals of all nationalities in all corners of the world. It’s a social, not package holiday, problem.

However, it is true that some people put themselves in more danger abroad than they would at home because they are relaxed and off their guard. How often do you see drunken individuals staggering home alone down badly-lit roads or heading off into the sunlight with total strangers when they would be far more careful at home?

The Foreign Office has some excellent advice for people on holiday, such as using reputable minicabs and being wary of new ˜friends“ – all of which could be applied when having a night out in any British town.

Our police forces, which have made huge strides forward in dealing with sexual assault and rape cases, are also passing on their knowledge to forces in Greece and Spain.

Meanwhile, the major tour operators are seething at claims that their reps are not trained to deal with rape victims and often give them wrong advice, such as to go home to their family.

They say reps are not counsellors but do recommend people report any attacks to the authorities as soon as possible. The problem is that some victims just want to go home to their families, which is understandable, but such action can destroy vital forensic evidence and reduce the chance of a conviction against the attacker.

I was a Club 18-30 rep for a season 19 years ago and, as far as I’m aware, no-one had sex without consent. But if they had, I’m honest enough to admit that back then I would probably have handled it crassly, trying to comfort the victim while secretly wondering if she’d brought it on herself.

Thankfully we live in enlightened times and most reps these days have more sensitivity than a 22-year-old version of yours truly.

People should go on holiday, enjoy themselves and – just as they would on a night out in England – take sensible precautions.

And, if they are unfortunate enough to be among the tiny minority of those who are attacked, report the matter to their reps and the police immediately.

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