A WOMEN’S group has spoken out about the “horrific” crimes reported in Hereford in recent weeks.

Police said there was a sexual assault between Hinton Road and King George V playing fields on Friday (August 12) in which a man grabbed a woman from behind and exposed himself between 9.45pm and 10.15pm.

This is was the third attack in Hereford in three weeks – all of which have happened along river paths, the first between Greyfriars Bridge and The Lines on Sunday, July 31 and the second near the Victoria Bridge, in Bishops Meadow on August 7.

Last night police confirmed a fourth riverside sexual assault in Hereford, but say they have arrested two people on suspicion of rape and flashing.

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Herefordshire Women's Equality Group (HWEG) members are deeply concerned by the reports.

“Our thoughts are with the victims of these horrific crimes,” said a spokesperson.

“We stand in solidarity with these victims and all of those impacted by news of these assaults.”

Regardless of age or gender the group believes all are at risk of these attacks.

Statistically more women and girls are at risk of sexual violence than men and boys, but they are affected too, said the spokesperson.

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One in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult and one in 20 men have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult according to the Office for National Statistics in 2021.

The equality group is proactively engaging with local decision-makers who can affect the reduction of sexual violence locally and improve how it is addressed.

“This input is welcomed by some organisations, others continue to require a persistent challenge by our members to their approach in responding to sexual violence,” said the spokesperson.

“We believe that we should all be free to live without fear of sexual violence in any form whether that be in a public place, at work or school or in our homes.”

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The group encourages those impacted by sexual violence of any type at any time in their lives to seek support from local specialist services wmrsasc.org.uk and theglade.org.uk.

These organisations can support survivors to decide their next steps, to choose what feels right for them at this time and in the future.

“Often those impacted by sexual violence choose not to report,” said the spokesperson.

Five in six women who are raped don’t report – and the same is true for four in five men, according to the Office for National Statistics in 2021.

“Often this is due to the negative effect of sexual violence myths and stereotypes," they added.

A free workshop called Rape Myths, How to Respond To them and How to Take Effective Action will be held on Saturday, September 3 from 10am to 11.30am.

This will be for those looking to understand about myths and stereotypes relating to sexual violence.

This can be booked here.