This is a reader's letter published in the Hereford Times on November 14.

YET again another rape in the centre of Hereford.

Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group’s thoughts and support are with the victim and with all victims of rape and sexual assault.

However, once again (Suspect arrested over alleged rape, November 7) it is stated that Hereford is a safe city. And women are urged to be wary of strangers. Both of these statements, while well-intentioned, need to be challenged.

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From figures obtained from West Mercia Police, given by Jess Phillips MP in an answer to a recent Parliamentary question from North Herefordshire MP Ellie Chowns, we find a shocking statistic. Herefordshire is second only to Telford and Wrekin in the WMP districts for rates of rape and sexual assault. We have higher rates than Shropshire and north and south Worcestershire. Herefordshire is not a safe place for women and girls.

Secondly, while the advice about strangers is sensible, Over 80 per cent of women and girls are raped or sexually assaulted by men well known to them.

(Office for National Statistics Crime Survey for England and Wales, 2017 and 2020) This is rarely spoken about in media coverage of rape.

We do need CCTV properly used and monitored in our public spaces. We also need more and wider public campaigns tackling misogyny and inequality of power which lies at the basis of male violence against women and girls. We need a zero tolerance attitude to violence, starting with good quality relationship education in all of our schools.

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

Young men are subject to a torrent of pressure from social media, including influencers such as Andrew Tate and pornography sites. We need to counter this in every school, and in targeted work with those that are the most vulnerable.

For help and support contact 24hr Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 763 1359, Rape Crisis England and Wales 24hr Support Line 0808 500 2222, West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre – www.wmrsasc.org.uk

BARBARA SHORE

Bartestree, Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group