Victim of ‘racially aggravated’ rape in Oldbury thanks community for support

A woman who was raped in what police are treating as “a racially aggravated attack” has thanked the community for their “love and support”.

The woman, who is in her 20s, reported being attacked by two men just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday near Tame Road in Oldbury, West Midlands. Police said the men made a racist remark during the attack.

She has now released a statement through the charity Sikh Youth UK in which she thanked people for supporting her and her family.

In her statement, she said: “I would never wish this on anyone. All I was doing was going about my day on my way to work, and what has happened has deeply affected us.”

“Through it all, my family has been my rock and my community has stood strong beside me,” she added.

The Sikh Federation (UK), which has been supporting the victim, said the perpetrators reportedly told her during the attack: “You don’t belong in this country, get out.”

West Midlands Police are still hunting two men and said they had “a number of positive lines of enquiry”.

They added: “We urgently want to speak with anyone in the area who may have seen two men.”

The first man has been described as being white with a shaved head and of heavy build. He was also said to be wearing a dark-coloured sweatshirt and had on gloves.

The second man was also white and wore a grey top with a silver zip.

In her statement, the victim said: “The police are doing their best to find those responsible and I truly hope they are caught so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

A community demonstration in support of the victim is due to take place, starting at the Lions of the Great War memorial in Smethwick – a landmark dedicated to the memory of Sikh soldiers – with an address to the community, before walking to Tame Road in Oldbury where the demonstration will take place.

Throughout her statement, the woman repeatedly thanked people for the support her and her family had received.

“We are going through a lot, but the strength and kindness shown by the right people in the community has been incredible, and I can’t thank them enough for being my voice,” she said.

“There has been so much love and support, and I am truly humbled.

“I want to personally thank my family, Sikh Youth UK who have been so supportive, the local Gurdwara committees and Sikh orgs, and everyone in my community who has stood by me.

“I cannot thank you enough for helping me get through this difficult time.”

The Sikh Federation (UK) is in touch with the victim and her family and says it has been providing her with support.

Speaking to the BBC, Dabinderjit Singh from the federation said: “This is unheard of. It’s really difficult trying to get across how seriously worried people are, especially young women.

“People are looking back over their shoulders.”

Mr Singh referred to another recent assault in the West Midlands, when two elderly Sikh taxi drivers were attacked near Wolverhampton Railway Station in August.

Police are also treating that as racially aggravated.

“These two incidents happened quite quickly in succession and not that far apart,” Mr Singh said.

“We’re generally worried about the political climate created around people that look different.

“There’s concern from a national perspective about the rhetoric created around the country about foreigners.

“There’s been a feeling in the country since the referendum to pass on the blame to people who look different.”