A BBC One documentary that aired on Wednesday 1 October 2025 has revealed how a Metropolitan police officer was dismissive of rape allegations, captured in footage by an undercover Panorama reporter.
The hour-long documentary revealed a culture of misogyny, racism and gratuitous violence within the central London police force. In one scene, Sgt McIlvenny was shown to respond to questions on his decision to release on bail a man alleged to have raped and attacked his pregnant girlfriend with "that's what she says".
We are horrified by the behaviours shown in the Panorama programme, and acknowledge how triggering the upsetting content may have been for any survivors watching. If you would like to talk about how this programme has affected you, or the feelings it has brought up for you, we are here. We will listen to you, believe you and support you.
- Contact our 24/7 Support Line by phone or webchat to speak to a trained specialist in confidence
- Find your nearest Rape Crisis centre
- Advice on coping with difficult feelings
The Met must now act, not just with words, but with decisive action
Our Head of Policy and Public Affairs Maxime Rowson said: “Last night's Panorama documentary featured scenes depicting sadistic and unwarranted brutality, the glorification of violence against Black and minoritised people and the trivialisation and dismissal of sexual violence by police officers.
It was a chilling watch, but for many, it was unsurprising. In 2023, following an independent review of the Metropolitan Police, Baroness Casey declared that the culture was institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic. The Met Commissioner refused to accept that. Promises of change were made. But two years on, it seems that the culture remains.
Whilst Operation Soteria has implemented reform in the response of police investigators to sexual violence survivors, it is clear that there is more work to do at all levels of the police force. Survivors of sexual violence and abuse face a multitude of barriers to reporting to the police; Black, Minoritised, Deaf and Disabled survivors face even more. The message to all women, in last night’s documentary, is: you won’t be believed, and you won’t be protected. This is wholly unacceptable, and we know that change is possible.
This is not just a failure of individuals - it’s a systemic betrayal. The Met must now act, not just with words, but with decisive action, to take accountability and make reform that allows survivors to rebuild their trust in the system.
As ever, Rape Crisis England and Wales stands ready to support and advocate for survivors regardless of whether they do or do not choose to report their experience. We will continue our fight for justice, and advocate on behalf of survivors to create a better system where they are listened to, believed and treated with dignity and respect, so they can recover and rebuild their lives."