'Gisèle Pelicot gave me strength' | Victoria Derbyshire speaks to survivor of ex-partner's abuse

Amanda Stanhope tells Victoria Derbyshire that she felt like she "faced evil for the first time" after discovering her partner had been raping her while she was unconscious after taking medication. In April 2025, her ex-partner was charged by Greater Manchester Police with five offences – four of rape and one of assault by penetration, but he took his own life before he could face trial.

CONTENT WARNINGThis interview contains descriptions of suicide and rape. If you have been affected by the contents of this interview, please get in touch with

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "It is to our regret that Ms Stanhope did not get to see justice fully served at the end of this awful ordeal. We have written to her to apologise for areas where our service fell below that she had every right to expect.

"This is a serious and abhorrent crime that we are increasingly alive to and we want potential victims to approach us with the utmost confidence that we will investigate all reports at the victim's pace with a clear determination to bring offenders to justice.

"We have made changes to improve our timeliness on investigations of such a serious nature and to ensure the best possible service to victims so that we can help secure them the most satisfactory outcome."

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