Worcestershire sexual abuse survivor suing West Mercia Police over identity breach

A woman who was sexually abused as a child is now suing West Mercia police due to an alleged data breach.

Heidi Clutterbuck claims a police officer involved in her case revealed her identity to other people. Despite her being given anonymity for life under law.

Heidi said that here and her family were identified as being 'at significant risk' by West Mercia Police at the time.

She also claims that the force maintained the fact that there was no breach for three years.

West Mercia police have told us that they won't be commenting on the matter, saying:

"We won't be commenting whilst an investigation is ongoing."

In a post on Heidi Clutterbuck's personal Facebook, she said

"This breach happened whilst under police protection after West Mercia Police themselves identified a significant risk to myself and family.

"Officer who caused breach didn’t even report it I found out when contacted by family member of another victim ( 5 known to date ) and had to tell my team.

"For 3 long years West Mercia Police maintained it was not a breach and I had no rights, or the other victims they failed so badly too.

"Now when they finally accept their failing their new tact to victim blame me for taking something so horribly negative and being part of positive change.

"I spoke publicly at the IICSA Inquiry, sat on their forum, was Guest Speaker at Op Hydrant 2018 hosted by Chief Constable Simon Bailey and took 18 months travelling across UK working with forces to implement the recommendations from our case IOPC Op Larkspur. Creating dialogue, support, critical thinking and positive change. Worked with Op Bluestone on new police responses for sexual crime. That work became template for national work.

"The recent Gisele Pelicot case created great change in victim blaming when she bravely gave up her anonymity as a victim of sexual crime. She refused to accept the shame of her husband and his fellow abusers and stood firmly in her stance. People across France and indeed across the world stood in solidarity. Challenging victim blaming face on.

"Yet West Mercia Police continue to victim blame because I not only had the strength to survive their appaling breach but I too refuse to accept the shame of my abuser or those professionals that fail.

"The original case IOPC Op Larkspur is now Op Teleajen 2 after they admitted failings in original case. Despite Glospol officer having a case to answer for Misconduct and Gross Misconduct but allowed to retire in process.

"Despite victims reporting in 1987, 1989, 2011, 2013 the police across 3 forces failed to act. A full comprehensive investigation has never occurred despite fear from IOPC Commissioner Guido Liguori and Lead investigator Susan Appleyard sharing fears of other victims unfound and possible links to perpetrators alive and offending.

"At the heart of those matters a former police officer brother and head Mason who Op Larkspur found had knowledge of multiple victims.

"The victims is this longstanding case remain failed and public unprotected."