Last year nearly 600 serious sexual offences, including rape, were reported to Sussex Police. When you take into account that up to 85% of those assaulted do not report, that’s nearly 4,000 offences.

And yet, on average, 30 people are convicted of serious sexual offences each year. That’s less than 1%.

These figures aren’t dramatically lower than other parts of the country but in Sussex we have a very specific issue.

The number of cases that the police refer to the CPS is higher than average, the number of cases taken to court is higher than average, but then our juries acquit those accused. Why?

Juries are taken from the general public and a strong conclusion that could be drawn is that, in Sussex, we just don’t believe people when they say they have been raped or assaulted.

Are we more likely than elsewhere to believe the myths, that we are in some way responsible if we were drunk, wearing certain clothing, or walking home alone, or that women claim they’ve been raped if they wake up and regret their actions?

The reality and the law are very clear. These are myths with no basis in fact.

False allegations for sexual assault are no higher than for any other crime type and if someone is unable to give consent for any reason including intoxication, it is rape.

If we are to redress this unacceptable imbalance juries need to understand the realities of sexual violence before a trial; but to really effect change we need to educate the general public.

We need to raise awareness and change attitudes so that more survivors achieve justice.

Fabia Bates is the director of Survivors’ Network