The recent ITV drama Believe Me has sparked important conversations across the UK about sexual assault, focusing on the psychological impact of survivors not being believed after reporting abuse.

The series, a four-part programme which follows the real-life stories of women who survived attacks by the London black cab taxi driver serial offender John Worboys who spiked and sexually assaulted women after nights out whilst driving them home.  

The drama covers the aftermath for different survivors and prejudices faced, focusing on their long fight for justice.

The series importantly shines a light on the devastating reality of abuse, the courage it takes to speak up, and the challenges survivors often face when seeking justice. It also tells the real-life story of survivors who took legal action in the form of civil claims for compensation to hold the police accountable for investigative failures that allowed the serial rapist taxi driver to assault more than 100 women before he was finally brought to justice, after they continued to ignore and disbelieve survivors who came report time and time again to report him.

What happens to the survivors in 'Believe Me'?

The opening episode immediately highlights the troubling attitudes faced by survivors when reporting sexual violence. Police place heavy emphasis on how much alcohol had been consumed on the night of the assault, questioning whether the survivor might have had consensual sex with friends she had been socialising with and implying she may simply have been “promiscuous.” When she later wakes in hospital bruised and disoriented, instinctively knowing something is wrong, even her ex-partner doubts her after the police fail to properly investigate. The episode also sensitively explores the long-term impact of trauma: her struggle with commuting, socialising, family life, parenting and navigating the workplace.

As the drama unfolds, more women come forward with strikingly similar accounts. Each describes being encouraged to drink champagne in a taxi, being given a tablet, and then losing consciousness. They wake the next morning injured, confused and often with torn clothing. Despite the consistency of these reports, the police repeatedly dismiss the allegations. In one case, delays mean that by the time forensic testing takes place, any drugs are likely undetectable, leading investigators to question whether the survivor had been mistaken. A recurring theme emerges in that survivors feel they are being called liars, being treated as unreliable, drunk or confused rather than as victims of serious crime. Because the driver had taken women home “safely,” the possibility that a licensed taxi driver could be responsible was initially overlooked.

At the centre of the story are survivors “Sarah” and “Layla,” whose experiences reflect the harrowing reality many victims face when reporting rape. In these two cases depicted in the programme, the two survivors brought human right act claims against the Metropolitan Police for their failures to properly investigate repeated reports of drug-facilitated rape by John Worboys. The claims argued that the police breached Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to conduct an effective investigation into serious sexual violence, allowing Worboys to continue offending and exposing further women to harm.

The case also highlighted how victims were treated with scepticism and influenced by stereotypes about alcohol and credibility. Ultimately, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom confirmed that police can be held legally accountable under human-rights law for serious investigative failures, creating an important precedent for future cases.

The wider problem

Recent commentary around the case highlighted in Believe Me has drawn attention to the broader systemic pressures survivors of sexual abuse face within the justice system.

In a Guardian article , Tim Grattan-Kane, the retired officer who led the investigation into serial rapist John Worboys, warned that the criminal justice system is “close to exploding” due to chronic underfunding, court backlogs, and delays within the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). His comments reflect deep concern that, despite lessons supposedly learned from cases like Worboys, significant issues continue to impact how effectively allegations are investigated and prosecuted.

The same article by the Guardian also highlights fears that crimes similar to those seen in Believe Me may still be occurring, with victims facing significant barriers in coming forward and seeing cases progress through the system. This reality is not confined to the UK. In France, the Gisèle Pelicot case which involved the drugging and repeated sexual abuse of Gisèle Pelicot by her then husband, who invited numerous other men to assault her while she was unconscious (a case that only came to light after police investigations uncovered extensive video evidence of the abuse) has similarly drawn international attention to the courage required of survivors to speak out and the importance of ensuring that allegations of sexual abuse are properly believed, investigated and taken forward.

Together, these examples reinforce the central message behind Believe Me : that justice for survivors depends not only on individual cases being pursued, but on meaningful systemic change to ensure allegations are taken seriously from the outset.

The impact for survivors of abuse

Sadly, for many viewers, the series is more than just a television drama and reflects real experiences and real struggles that thousands of people live with every day.

The drama highlights a range of issues that survivors frequently encounter, including the fear of not being believed, delays in reporting abuse, the profound emotional trauma and long-term impact it can cause, and the power imbalances that often exist between victim and abuser. It also reflects the immense courage required to seek justice years later. At Switalskis, we know that these are not fictional problems; in our work, we see how abuse can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including relationships, career, mental health and financial stability. Importantly, the show reinforces the important message we want every survivor to hear being that you can still seek justice for abuse even years later.

As a law firm specialising in civil abuse claims, we want anyone affected by the themes in Believe Me to know you are not alone, and help is available and we will believe you and support you in seeking justice.

Support for survivors of abuse

What is a civil claim for abuse?

Many people assume that justice is only found in the criminal courts, but that is not the case. Survivors of abuse may also be entitled to pursue a civil claim for compensation, either alongside a criminal case, after a successful prosecution, or even where no criminal conviction has been secured.

A civil claim focuses on acknowledging the harm caused and securing financial compensation for injuries and losses, holding individuals and organisations accountable, and helping provide a sense of closure and validation.

Civil claims can often be brought even when no criminal conviction exists. This is a crucial point that many survivors do not realise and means that even where a criminal case has not brought justice, there may still be a chance to do this via a civil claim for compensation.

Why survivors delay coming forward

Crucially, Believe Me portrays something we see every day in that it is not uncommon for survivors to wait long periods of time, sometimes years, before speaking out about the abuse that has happened to them. This may be due to:

• Fear or shame
• Trauma and psychological impact
• Concern about not being believed
• Threats or manipulation by the abuser
• Not realising they have legal options

The law in England and Wales recognises this reality in that survivors of sexual abuse often need time before they feel able to speak about what has happened to them, meaning that specialist abuse solicitors can often bring claims outside the usual time limits (limitation period) in abuse cases, and exercise the court’s discretion depending on the circumstances of the case.

This means that it is never too late to seek legal advice, and it is always worth seeking advice from a specialist abuse solicitor to explore whether a claim may still be possible.

What types of abuse can be the subject of a civil claim?

Civil claims can arise from many different forms of abuse, including childhood abuse, sexual abuse or assault, abuse within institutions such as schools, care homes or religious organisations, abuse by a family member, friend, colleague and abuse carried out by professionals or others in positions of trust. Claims may also be possible for abuse that took place many years ago.

How we can help

Here at Switalskis Solicitors, we have a highly specialised team dedicated exclusively to abuse claims.

Our lawyers are leaders in this niche, sensitive area of law, with extensive experience supporting survivors and securing justice through civil claims. We are proud to offer a compassionate, expert and client-focused service tailored to the unique needs of those affected by abuse.

We understand that contacting a solicitor about abuse is a huge step. Our role is to make the process as supportive and straightforward as possible.

Our experienced solicitors offer:

• Confidential, no-obligation conversations
• Sensitive and trauma-informed approach
• Clear guidance on your options
• No-win, no-fee funding (conditional fee agreement ‘CFA’ funding)
• Legal aid

What should I do next?

If Believe Me has resonated with you, you do not have to deal with this alone. If you have experienced abuse and would like to explore the possibility of a civil claim, our team is here to help and can explain the first steps in how to start a claim for abuse.

Speaking to a specialist abuse solicitor does not commit you to making a claim. It simply helps you understand the legal options available to you.

Taking the first step can feel daunting, but it can also be the beginning of healing and seeking justice, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Contact one of our specialist abuse solicitors today by calling 08001380458 or filling out the form below.