British constabulary

When Police Officers are Accused of Sexual Abuse, Trust is also a Victim

Why don’t people trust authorities designated to protect them? Perhaps the answer lies in yet another incident of sexual abuse by police officers, this time in Great Britain. The national watchdog group, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, revealed 426 accusations against English and Welsh officers over two years. Sadly, the victims were some of the most vulnerable people in society, including victims of domestic abuse, addicts and sex workers, many of whom were in custody at the time. By abusing their power this way, police officers are not only scarring their victims for life, they are also committing perhaps one of the most egregious ramifications of the government bully—the violation of the public trust.

Credit: BIGSTOCK