Chapter 3: In Graphic Detail

‘After talking it over, we decided there was no proof to bring a prosecution and if we dismissed them, they could demand that we reveal the names of their accusers. So, we thought we’d put it to them and see what they said.’

‘I sent for them and told them that I had had a complaint that they had raped a member of staff. They denied it of course, but I told them that I believed it. I don’t have enough proof to dismiss you outright, I told them, but you can not remain here.’

‘There is a vacancy at our depot outside Manchester. You can start there in the same job a week on Monday. Same pay and conditions and a clean record. If you refuse, I’ll dismiss you and make public the reason. Whatever happens then, you’ll have great difficulty getting another job after that.’

‘I also warned them that whilst I wouldn’t tell anyone at their new depot why they were moved, if a lady left without good reason, I’d be along to see her and find out why. Then I’d go to the police. I’ll give you twenty- four hours to decide, then I’ll pass everything I’ve got to the police.’ I told them.’

‘They left my office saying it was as good as unfair dismissal, and they’d take me to the cleaners.’ ‘What happened?’ Lewis asked. ‘The next afternoon I had a phone call from the assistant Mr Potter.’ ‘We’ve decided we’re ready for a change,’ he told me, ‘So we accept the move.’

‘Ok,’ Lewis said, ‘Here’s what I’d like to do. If you give me the names and phone number of the first lady who left, and of Mary, I’ll have a discrete word with them. How the two men are dealt with depends on how many people they have raped. But I need to hear it myself from the victims.’

‘It won’t involve them in anything, just a brief phone call from me. How many do you employ on this site?’ ‘Twenty-nine, not counting my secretary and me.’ Gregory told him. ‘Is it practical to get them all together in one place for fifteen minutes today, so I can talk to them?’ Lewis asked.

‘Everything usually comes to a standstill at one o’clock for lunch,’ Gregory said, ‘Most stay on site, but there are a few who leave. We could stop early and have everyone in the canteen at twelve thirty.’ ‘That would be great.’ Lewis told him.

‘I haven’t got enough cards with me, so could I have access to a computer and printer to do some handouts?’ ‘Sure, you can use the one on my desk,’ Gregory said. ‘Whilst you’re doing that, I’ll go and organise it.’ He opened the computer for Lewis and left him to it.

Lewis typed out a heading of ‘LEWIS’ then his phone number. Underneath he put, ‘Please text giving a convenient time for me to ring you back when your conversation will not be overheard. If you wish to just leave information without speaking to me, please give as many details as you can.’ You don’t need to leave your name. Then along the bottom he put... ‘Remember – A problem is never likely to be solved, if no one knows it exists.’

He put three of them on an A4 page and printed ten pages. Cutting each page into three, he folded each piece in half. At quarter past twelve he was standing at the canteen door. He shook hands with everyone who came in. ‘Hi, I’m Lewis.’ he introduced himself and gave them a handout.

When everyone was seated, Gregory stood up and said, ‘You’ve all met Lewis as you came in, please give him your attention.’ ‘I’m here today to talk about rape.’ Lewis said seeing a sea of startled faces in front of him. ‘I have for the past two years been doing voluntary counselling.’

‘Although I say it myself, I have been very successful at it. Nearly half of the people coming to see me had been raped. Those victims were men and women. Rape is a disgusting crime and can often do lasting damage, both physical and mental.’

‘Unfortunately, many rapists often get away with it, because the victim is usually far more embarrassed about anyone knowing that they have suffered it, than they are about punishing the person responsible for inflicting the pain and indignity of the crime.’

‘I mean, could you imagine yourself standing up in a court of law and announcing to the world, ‘Your honour, the man in the dock raped me.’ It’s not something I would want to do. But fortunately, there are now other ways of dealing with rapists which are proving successful.’