The BBC’s recent undercover Panorama investigation into the Metropolitan Police has laid bare a culture that should trouble every woman in London—and every survivor of abuse across the UK.
For seven months, an undercover reporter worked inside Charing Cross Police Station, one of the Met’s busiest custody suites. What he recorded is deeply disturbing:
- Officers mocking women reporting rape, reducing their accounts to “that’s what she says” while laughing about evidence of assault.
- Senior sergeants displaying open misogyny, trivialising sexual harassment and making crude comments about detained women.
- A pattern of disbelief and dismissal whenever women or victims of domestic abuse came forward, reinforcing the message survivors know too well: “You won’t be believed.”
- A culture of silence, where staff were told to “keep their mouths shut” to protect colleagues rather than protect victims.
This is not just “banter” or “a few bad apples.” It is evidence of a system that minimises violence against women and undermines the safety of those who need protection most.
The Met has promised reform before—after Sarah Everard’s murder, after Baroness Casey’s damning review, after each new scandal. And yet, this investigation shows that for too many women who come forward, their trauma is still being treated as entertainment, inconvenience, or disbelief.
For survivors of domestic abuse, this reality is terrifying. If women cannot trust the very people meant to protect them, where do they turn? Too many are left silenced, unsupported, and at risk.
At Contento Social Homes, we stand alongside survivors. We know that disbelief kills—because silence leaves women in danger. We call for:
- A survivor-centred policing model where women’s voices are taken seriously the first time.
- Robust accountability so that misogyny, racism, and abuse within the police are not excused as jokes but treated as gross misconduct.
- Urgent systemic reform—not just “rogue officer” removals, but a cultural reset that prioritises dignity, safety, and justice for women.
Every woman survivor deserves a safe home, but she also deserves a safe society. Until the police rebuild trust with women, our communities will continue to bear the cost of their failure.
No woman should ever be dismissed with “that’s what she says.” We believe her—and it’s time the police did too.
👉 Watch the full Panorama investigation here: BBC iPlayer – Undercover in the Police
Join Our Campaign: A Home for Every Woman Survivor
At Contento Social Homes, we are working to ensure that survivors of domestic abuse don’t just escape danger—they find stability, healing, and a pathway to independence. Our campaign “A Home for Every Woman Survivor” is about bridging the gap between crisis and long-term housing, so no woman is left trapped by disbelief or systemic failure.
You can help us create change:
- Donate to expand move-on accommodation.
- Partner with us as a CSR supporter or social investor.
- Advocate by sharing survivor stories and calling for reform.
Together, we can build a society where women are safe in their homes—and safe in reporting abuse without fear of being dismissed.
