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| Police to investigate MP Michelle Thomson’s rape allegation | Police to investigate MP Michelle Thomson’s rape allegation |
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| Police Scotland have confirmed that they will contact MP Michelle Thomson after she moved colleagues to tears in the Commons on Thursday when she revealed harrowing details of her rape at the age of 14 and its subsequent impact on her life. | Police Scotland have confirmed that they will contact MP Michelle Thomson after she moved colleagues to tears in the Commons on Thursday when she revealed harrowing details of her rape at the age of 14 and its subsequent impact on her life. |
| Speaker John Bercow told Thomson that her testimony had “left an indelible impression” on the House after she described how she was attacked in a wooded area 37 years ago by someone she knew as she walked home from a youth event. | Speaker John Bercow told Thomson that her testimony had “left an indelible impression” on the House after she described how she was attacked in a wooded area 37 years ago by someone she knew as she walked home from a youth event. |
| During a debate on the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Edinburgh West MP told MPs: “I’m not a victim, I’m a survivor.” | |
| She explained how the rape had “fatally undermined” her self-esteem, confidence and sense of self-worth, and revealed that she had not sought help for the trauma until her mid-40s. “I carried that guilt, anger, fear, sadness and bitterness for years,” she told the chamber. | She explained how the rape had “fatally undermined” her self-esteem, confidence and sense of self-worth, and revealed that she had not sought help for the trauma until her mid-40s. “I carried that guilt, anger, fear, sadness and bitterness for years,” she told the chamber. |
| A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Speaking out about sexual abuse is incredibly difficult, and disclosures are often made many years after an incident took place. Police Scotland will listen to any such disclosure, regardless of the passage of time, and will investigate. Our response is always victim focused and every investigation will be tailored to meet their individual needs.” | A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Speaking out about sexual abuse is incredibly difficult, and disclosures are often made many years after an incident took place. Police Scotland will listen to any such disclosure, regardless of the passage of time, and will investigate. Our response is always victim focused and every investigation will be tailored to meet their individual needs.” |
| Thomson has since been universally praised by colleagues, campaigners and members of the public for her bravery. | Thomson has since been universally praised by colleagues, campaigners and members of the public for her bravery. |
| Sandy Brindley, the national coordinator of Rape Crisis Scotland, said: “It is not uncommon for women to contact rape crisis many years after a rape and tell us this is the first time they have ever spoken about it. Someone speaking so publicly about rape can send a strong message to other rape survivors – that the shame is not theirs, and it is okay to talk about it and to seek support.” | |
| The Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, described the speech as “very moving and incredibly brave”, while many other former SNP colleagues of Thomson, who resigned the party whip last year amid an investigation into property transactions, also praised her bravery. | The Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, described the speech as “very moving and incredibly brave”, while many other former SNP colleagues of Thomson, who resigned the party whip last year amid an investigation into property transactions, also praised her bravery. |
| Thomson said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received. | Thomson said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received. |