We Need to Talk: The Truth about Sexual Violence and My Fight for Justice

(Paperback)

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We Need to Talk shines a light on the fault lines of a system and a society that is failing rape victims.

Emily was in a restaurant, having lunch with her father the next thing she remembers is waking up, naked, in a strange hotel room, next to a man she did not know. She suspected she had been drugged, raped and later found out she had been filmed without her consent.

What happened to her that night could have happened to anyone. What came next happens to far too many victims, as failures by the police, CPS and other parts of the system, led to Emily doubting she would ever find justice.

Six years after her attack, Emily is an adviser to the UK Government on sexual violence. Part memoir and part investigation, Emily shines a light on the fault lines of a system and a society that is failing rape victims. We Need To Talk looks at how rape is a mainstream, everyday problem deeply damaging victims, their families, their workplaces and the economy.

This is a conversation starter about why we don't talk about rape; that the only cause of rape is rapists, not rape victims; who commits rape and why; the reasons why society defaults to blaming the victim; and ultimately how we need to change and humanise the way we talk about rape in order to truly hear and support victims and end the current epidemic of sexual violence.

'As inspiring as it is enraging, Emily Hunt turns trauma into action, exposing a criminal justice system that fails women, and a culture that enables violence against us. A rallying call for change, and a powerful lesson in perseverance from a woman who would not give up.' The Guardian

'Addressing the national crisis, affecting one in five women, that is rape begins with speaking its truth, of personal suffering and institutional indifference. It begins with books like We Need To Talk.' Jolyon Maugham, Barrister, Director of the Good Law Project

Reviews

'I have just had the privilege of reading Emily's book, which should be mandatory reading for anyone working within the criminal justice system and third sector support organisations. Parents should discuss the issues it raises with their adult/adolescent children and every one of us should applaud Emily's bravery and unimaginable strength of character in achieving what she has over the past 6 plus years.'

* Brian McKirdy, Governor, HMP Inverness *

'Addressing the national crisis, affecting one in five women, that is rape begins with speaking its truth, of personal suffering and institutional indifference. It begins with books like We Need To Talk.'

* Jolyon Maugham, Barrister, Director of the Good Law Project *

"As inspiring as it is enraging, Emily Hunt turns trauma into action, exposing a criminal justice system that fails women, and a culture that enables violence against us. A rallying call for change, and a powerful lesson in perseverance from a woman who would not give up."

* The Guardian, Emine Saner, journalist *

'Essential reading for anyone teaching Consent and RSE in schools today. It shows with absolute clarity not only the devastating consequences of sexual violence but also the worrying lack of support available for victims.'

* Luke Ramsden, Trustee of the Schools Consent Project *

'Emily has a lot to say about something few want to hear. And speak she does so we can learn so much. Pain, resilience and hope throughout. Emily challenges us to talk about sexual violence, and after reading this book, you will want to have that conversation.'

* Professor Betsy Stanko OBE, Academic lead of Operation Soteria Bluestone *
'What a tour de force! Incredible. Emily combines what was a painful and extended trauma, with such an eloquent and clear poetic and angry voice.' * Professor Joanna Bourke, Historian & Author *

'Written with such openness and vulnerable that as a survivor myself I feel so connected to her.This is an important book that is not only written in a way that brings the much overused phrase lived experience to actual real life in a way I havent seen before, and that is with 15 years of existing in the sexual violence arena; but an important reference for all those who are invested in supporting all victims/survivors on their healing journey.'

* Duncan Craig OBE *

'Emilys compelling account of what happened to her lays bare the systemic barriers to justice that rape victims experience. Her analysis of the failings of the criminal justice system and how she experienced them is a call to action as a nation we must do better than this.'

* Diana Fawcett, CEO Victim Support *

'Emily is one of the bravest and most determined people I have ever met. This tells the unvarnished truth of her battle for justice and the barriers which were put in her way, and shows what one person can achieve.'

* Philip Davies, MP *
'Emily Hunts We Need to Talk is a clear-eyed and addictive account of injustice heaped upon injustice: how the systems designed to protect victims of rape repeatedly fail us. The book opens with the haunting moment when Emily wakes up drugged in a hotel room and expands to encompass her tireless fight for change not just for herself but for the many victims whose stories are disbelieved and ignored by the criminal justice system. Persuasive, eye-opening, and poignant.' * Winnie M Li, Activist, survivor, and award-winning author of Complicit and Dark Chapter *

Author Bio

Emily Hunt is a data storyteller and senior advisor on behaviour-led strategy, communications and brand. She is an American anglophile, a single mother, lives in London and last but by no means least, she is a law changer. In her role as an expert adviser to the government she provides specialist advice on improving the criminal justice system for rape victims. Her ongoing work will primarily focus on ensuring that the Governments end-to-end rape review effectively focuses on delivering real impacts within the criminal justice system.