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One in 10 British women have been raped, according to shocking new figures published by Mumsnet.

The survey of 1,600 women also found that a third had been sexually assaulted.

However, more than four in five of the victims did not report the attack to police due to concerns over low conviction rates, embarrassment and shame, according to the survey which was completed online

between February and March.

Today the parenting website launched the We Believe You campaign to support sex attack victims.

Co-founder Justine Roberts said society was less sympathetic to victims than it should be.

She said: "We simply shouldn't accept that we live in a country where one in 10 women are raped and over one third sexually assaulted.

"Things are made worse by the feeling among many women that they can't talk about these crimes for fear of being treated unsympathetically, denying them access to practical and emotional support when they need it most.

"The message from the men and women on Mumsnet is clear: we believe you - and we want others in society to start believing you too."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) welcomed the campaign, saying rape and sexual assault were dreadful crimes which were "often difficult for someone to report because of fear, shame and embarrassment".

Allison Saunders, the chief crown prosecutor for CPS London, said: "I support the message of the We Believe You campaign, its aim to raise awareness of the extent of these crimes, and to challenge preconceptions.

"As a society we need to be aware of the myths and stereotypes that members of the public who become jury members may hold and which have the potential to influence court outcomes and ultimately lives.

"We need to challenge these myths and stereotypes which prejudge victims and add to their ordeal."

She said prosecutors have done a lot of work to dispel the stereotypes and that the situation was improving.

Ms Saunders added: "I am determined to ensure that victims are confident in coming forward and reporting these crimes and I believe the MumsNet campaign will help us to achieve this."

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said rape was "one of the most difficult offences police and prosecutors deal with".

Chief Constable Dave Whatton, the Acpo lead for rape and serious sexual offences, said: "We are really pleased that we have seen an increase in the confidence of survivors of rape to come forward over the last couple of years that is reflected in the increasing numbers of recorded offences of rape, but recognise that this is still the tip of the iceberg of all victims.

"The investigations are complex and the need for joint working to ensure successful convictions is critical.

"There has been significant improvements over recent years in the way victims of rape are treated.

"Improvements in specialist training of officers and better access to sexual assault referral centres have assisted the policing response and that of our partners in health and the voluntary sector.

"But I know that there is no room for complacency."

:: A total of 1,609 women chose to complete the survey by the Mumsnet Insight team online between February and March.