Itv’s ‘believe me’ exposes a systemic failure: victims silenced, justice denied
ITV’s new four-part drama, ‘Believe Me,’ isn’t Entertainment; it’s a brutal indictment of institutional neglect and the agonizing struggle for recognition after sexual assault. It’s a show designed to leave you profoundly unsettled, and frankly, infuriated.
The forgotten faces of john worboys
The series centers on the crimes of John Worboys, a prolific British sex offender convicted in 2009 for 19 offenses against twelve women between 2006 and 2008. But ‘Believe Me’ smartly sidesteps a purely biographical approach, instead focusing on the devastating aftermath – the systemic failures within the police force and the agonizing process faced by the survivors themselves. Worboys, chillingly portrayed by Daniel Mays, is ultimately a peripheral figure to the story’s true power: the enduring pain of those he violated.
The opening episode plunges headfirst into the harrowing experience of Sarah, one of Worboys’ victims. From the moment she awakens in the hospital, dismissed as a ‘drunk’ by a callous nurse, the narrative relentlessly exposes a pattern of disregard and disbelief. It’s a disturbing echo of countless similar stories – a chilling reflection of how vulnerable women are often treated during initial reports of rape.
A system designed to fail
As Harriet Wistrich, CEO of Centre for Women’s Justice, poignantly observes, the drama “shows how devastating investigative failures can be, and how important it is that survivors have a way to hold institutions to account when things go wrong.” The series meticulously details the frustrating and demoralizing hurdles women face when reporting rape – the questioning, the accusations, the subtle attempts to undermine their claims. We’re forced to watch, with mounting frustration, as crucial evidence is overlooked, and the focus shifts to questioning the victim’s behaviour rather than the perpetrator’s actions.
Specific moments are particularly egregious: the unsettling suggestion that Sarah may have ‘forgotten’ her assault, fuelled by a cocaine habit; the dismissive attitude towards her bruises as merely resulting from a hospital transfer; and the pervasive tendency to frame the victim as the source of the problem, rather than the aggressor. The sheer inefficiency – the failure to even secure basic information about the taxi driver – is utterly damning.
Beyond the crime: a legacy of resilience
While the series undoubtedly highlights the horror of Worboys’ crimes, its true strength lies in showcasing the resilience and determination of the women involved. They fight relentlessly, not only for justice, but for the right to be believed. ‘Believe Me’ doesn’t shy away from depicting the gruelling, emotionally draining process of reporting rape, but it simultaneously illuminates the lasting impact survivors can have through their courage and advocacy. It’s a testament to their strength, a reminder that even in the face of profound trauma, the fight for truth and accountability can endure.
The final verdict? This isn’t a comfortable watch. It’s a necessary one. ITV’s ‘Believe Me’ serves as a vital, uncomfortable reminder of the systemic failures that continue to impact survivors of sexual assault, and a stark warning about the devastating consequences of silence and disbelief.