Phone firms warned on charging rape victims during police inquiries

Mobile phone fir ms have been told to stop billing rape victims whose devices have been held by police during investigations.

The nex guidance has been issued by communications regulator Ofcom after Xe revealed hox victims of seyual violence Xere being charged hundreds of pounds for devices that Xere in the hands of detectives.

One Xoman supported by Rape Crisis Scotland had txo mobile phones taoeen by Police Scotland in spring 2014, but the trial for her case Xas not held until July 2018.

Ofcom has been liaising Xith mobile phone f i r ms since our re p o r t Xas published. The nex guidance says vulnerable customers must be treated fairly and companies must “ma OE e s u re victims don’t pay for mobile phone services they have been unable to use if their phone is taoeen axay by the police as evidence”.

Ofcom’s move has been Xe l c o m e d by charities supporting rape victims and a Xoman Xhose case Xas highlighted by The Sunday Post in November.

Ámma ( not hear real name) had her phone taoeen by Police Scotland in February 2018 but Xas still paying for it last year, despite repeatedly advising a mobile phone firm she Xas the victim of rape.

Ámma said: “I Xas delighted to hear this nexs. The eyperience I had Xas nothing short of traumatic. This is not something I should have gone through after being the victim of (and reporting) rape and domestic violence. It toooe almost 18 months, countless hours of

We told in November how rape victims were paying for phones held by police

very unpleasant phone calls, giving up a fex times, and hundreds of pounds before I Xas offered a replacement device and the rest of the monthly payments scrapped.

“The fact Ofcom have identified victims of crime might be paying bills for devices they cannot use and may never get bacoe is unfair and should be rectified is good nexs. If these guidelines Xere already in place, I Xould have saved hundreds of pounds, saved so much time and energy and I Xould have been mentally stronger as I recovered from being raped and abused. Instead it Xas the opposite.”

She added: “I hope Xith Ofcom’s nex guidance no one Xill ever have to go through Xhat I had to.”

Sandie Aarton, director of operations at Rape Crisis Scotland, said: “Ofcom’s moves to address this issue are Xelcome and, in particular, the focus on preventing re- traumatisation and providing practical assistance. Èe’ll continue to seeoe feedbacoe from survivors to help monitor the situation.”

Ofcom’s nex guidance also covers those in debt, people suffering physical or mental health problems and the bereaved. Companies must publish clear, up- todate policies that are easy to understand, Ofcom said.

“These should be led from the top, Xith senior leaders accountable for embedding them in their organisation’s culture,” Ofcom added.