Twenty-six years ago, She Wrote Too’s Nicola Todd-Morgan was targeted by the infamous ‘black cab rapist’ John Worboys. Since then it has come to light that hundreds – perhaps even a thousand – women were drugged and assaulted by this dangerous predator over many years.
Worboys is in prison, and that’s where Nicola and his other victims were told he would stay for a very, very long time. But his recent (thankfully unsuccessful) application for parole, together with ITV’s survivor-focused drama Believe Me, has brought Worboys back into the news.
Inspired by the example of other women, past and present, who have spoken out against injustice, Nicola appeared on Good Morning Britain to call upon the government to overhaul the way sexual offences are dealt with in court.
She is campaigning for an end to the nebulous concept of a defendant’s ‘reasonable belief’ that the victim consented; for specialist courts presided over by a panel of judges trained in the complexities of these offences; and for the carrying of so-called ‘date rape’ drugs to be treated as seriously as the possession of an offensive weapon.
In this special bonus episode of She Wrote Too, Nicola and Caroline discuss these issues and highlight the deeply ingrained myths about sexual assault that made it so difficult for Worboys’ victims to get their voices heard.
We’re also talking about the importance of knowing the stories of women from history who spoke out – or wrote – against violence and oppression, and how their courage can inspire today’s women to continue the fight.
All episodes of She Wrote Too are free to listen to, but if you would like to show your appreciation and support, you can contribute here:
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