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Sexual Offences Investigation Team; Anne-Marie Cockburn; Sandi Toksvig

A look at the work of the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, how writing helped a mother cope with the loss of her daughter, and the latest window in Radio 4's Advent Calendar.

Jenni visits the Sexual Offences Investigation Team in Hertfordshire to see how they deal with allegations of sexual violence. A young woman talks about her experience of immediately reporting being raped to the Police. Plus we hear from Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Martin Hewitt about his concerns as national policing lead for sexual offences at Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Martha Fernback was 15 when she died after taking half a gram of MDMA. That was 5 months ago. Her single mum buried herself in writing as a way of channelling her immense pain as she mourned the loss of her only child. Her outpourings have now been published, and her book 5,742 days - the number of days Martha lived - documents her agonising journey. Anne-Marie Cockburn talks about her daughter and the positivity that's helping her face the future.

We visit Polesden Lacey near Dorking in Surrey to experience an Edwardian Christmas. The house was the country home of the fabulously wealthy heiress, Margaret Greville, who'd married Ronnie, the eldest son of Lord Greville. Margaret was widowed young, but as 'Mrs Ronnie,' she became the confidante of royalty and hosted lavish Christmas house parties.

And with Boxing Day just a week away it's time to open the latest window in the Radio 4 Advent Calendar - it's Sandi Toksvig.

Available now

58 minutes

Chapters

  • Rape and Sexual Assault Increase at Christmas

    Jenni visits the Sexual Offences Investigation Team in Hertfordshire.

    Duration: 22:26

  • An Edwardian Christmas

    Traditional festivities at Polesden Lacey, the country home of heiress Margaret Greville.

    Duration: 08:12

  • Advent Treat: Sandi Toksvig

    Sandi Toksvig is the surprise behind today's window in the Radio 4 Comedy Advent Calendar

    Duration: 03:08

  • Losing my Daughter Martha

    Anne-Marie Cockburn on the diary she wrote when she lost her 15 year old to ecstasy.

    Duration: 06:53

Rape and Sexual Assault Increase at Christmas

It is suggested that complaints of rape and sexual assault increase around Christmas time. We’ll hear from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team in Hertfordshire to see how they deal with allegations of sexual violence. A young woman explains to us why she immediately reported being raped to the Police, and Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Martin Hewitt talks about his concerns as national policing lead for sexual offences at ACPO.

Rape Crisis

Victim Support

Victim Support - information for women

Victim Support - information for men

Advice on rape - gov.uk

An Edwardian Christmas

An Edwardian Christmas

We visit Polesden Lacey near Dorking in Surrey to experience an Edwardian Christmas. The house was the country home of the fabulously wealthy heiress, Margaret Greville, who’d married Ronnie, the eldest son of Lord Greville. Margaret was widowed young, but as ‘Mrs Ronnie,’ she became the confidante of royalty and hosted lavish Christmas house parties. Polesden Lacey is now owned by the National Trust and this weekend visitors can see how the house would have looked at Christmas in her time. We find out more from Siân Evans, the author of ‘Mrs Ronnie – The Society Hostess Who Collected Kings’ and from Vicky Bevan, House and Collections Manager for the National Trust at Polesden Lacey.

If you’d like to see Polesden Lacey dressed for Christmas, the last chance is this Saturday or Sunday - December 21st and 22nd. More information about the house and opening hours here.

Advent Treat

Sandi Toksvig is the surprise behind the latest window in the Radio 4 Comedy Advent Calendar.

Losing my Daughter Martha

Martha Fernback was 15 when she died after taking half a gram of MDMA or ecstasy. That was 5 months ago ans since then her single mum, Anne-Marie Cockburn, buried herself in writing as a way of channelling her immense pain of losing her only child. Her outpourings have now been published, and her book 5,742 Days – the number of days Martha lived - documents her agonising journey. Anne-Marie Cockburn talks to Jenni about her daughter and the positivity that’s helping her face the future.

Child Bereavement UK

CRUSE

NHS Bereavement advice

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterJenni Murray
Interviewed GuestMartin Hewitt
Interviewed GuestAnne-Marie Cockburn
ProducerRebecca Myatt

Broadcast

  • Thu 19 Dec 201310:00

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