// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Women targeted by police who 'abused the badge'
Catherine and Naomi were both targeted by serving police officers
Two women who were preyed upon by serving police officers they trusted have described their ordeals and why they decided to speak out.
Naomi Meadows was raped by a detective she met online in Devon, while Catherine Dobson was subjected to years of coercive and controlling behaviour by a Lancashire police officer who worked in a sexual offences unit.
Catherine said: "He used his job, he used his power and he abused the badge. Whatever his motives were, I will never understand."
The women waived their right to anonymity to tell their harrowing stories as part of a BBC investigation that uncovered more than 1,200 domestic abuse allegations made in three years against police officers and special constables across England and Wales.
Professional standards investigations were opened into allegations including rape, sexual assault, grievous bodily harm, stalking and serious violence.
Most cases were discontinued, subjected to no further action or dropped because of a lack of evidence or victims withdrawing their complaints.
Campaigners say more needs to be done to tackle police-perpetrated abuse despite repeated warnings about failures to identify and remove dangerous officers in the wake of the 2021 murder of Sarah Everard in London by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens.
Catherine said she had no reason to disbelieve the lies told by her abuser
Catherine Dobson, from Rawtenstall in Lancashire, said she was asked out for a drink by Michael Harvey after a chance meeting in a supermarket.