Our victim didn't even see fit to report the incidents for thirty years. And then she didn't name her attackers. One wonders why. Sexual assault is a terrible thing. Surely, as an MP, Sheila Copps could understand that it was better for all concerned for her to to dig her heels in and make sure both assailants were prosecuted. She knew both of them. How many other women were assaulted by these same two.
There are many reasons why rape victims often don't report their rape and there are a lot of women who choose to not report the rape. It does not mean it didn't happen.
Imagine the most humiliating experience of your life and then times that by about a 100, then take that feeling and go and tell someone you don't know about it. But remember, you can't leave out any details. Not the smallest nor the most humiliating. They're going to ask you some extraordinarily personal questions. They're not going to be very nice about it and in fact, they may even become condescending. Most likely they'll infer you were to blame. Maybe you led them on and so deserved it.
That would be a small taste of what a rape and a rape incident report would be like in the 1970's. It's unlikely you could begin to comprehend the emotional state of a victim let alone what it would be like to go through the reporting of it. Not everyone is equiped to handle it and it's not a reflection of their character if they are unable to handle it.
Sheila did report her rape. That took alot of courage. It's not her responsiblity to protect other women. It's the police.