Don't be rapists' prey this Christmas

Sussex Police is backing National Rape Awareness Week, which starts today (Monday November 30th).

During the week two hard-hitting TV adverts, one shown from a female perspective and one from a male perspective, will be screened on Channel 5 after the 9pm watershed. The 60 second adverts highlight issues surrounding rape, particularly when people drink a large amount of alcohol. The clear message is ‘no means no’, at any stage.

The adverts, which were produced by Greater Manchester Police, can also be viewed on the Sussex Police website – www.sussex.police.uk/rape-aware.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Sussex are distributing posters, which have been produced by Sussex Police, to pubs, clubs and other suitable venues. Two different posters – again, one shown from a female perspective and one from a male perspective - have been designed to raise awareness of the increased risk of becoming a victim of rape, or of being accused of rape, if you drink too much on a night out.

The campaign comes at a time when the East Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team, which includes Sussex Police, has recently agreed an East Sussex Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. One of the aims of the strategy is for partners to work together to prevent alcohol related sexual offences, with a particular focus on 18 to 24 year old binge drinkers.

National Rape Awareness Week coincides with the start of the Christmas/New Year season, when people often drink higher levels of alcohol than normal. The annual ‘party’ season has, in past years, seen a rise in the number of incidents of rape or serious sexual assault reported to Sussex Police. A large percentage of these reports are recorded as alcohol influenced.

The posters being distributed by Sussex Neighbourhood Policing Teams stress the importance of not allowing excess alcohol to leave you vulnerable to sexual assault or, if you do choose to have sex, ensuring the other person has given clear consent.

One design features an extreme close-up of a crying eye, with smudged makeup running beneath it, beside the statement ‘I didn’t want it to go that far’. Underneath there is also the stark warning ‘Don’t let alcohol leave you vulnerable. Rape stays with you for life’.

The other design features a close-up of a man with his head in his hands next to the statement ‘I thought she was up for it’. The wording at the bottom of the poster reads ‘Don’t let alcohol affect your judgement. A rape charge could ruin your life’.

The www.sussex.police.uk/rape-aware website also contains advice on how to enjoy a safe night out and links to useful websites and organisations.

Detective Inspector Ali Eaton, Sussex Police Specialist Investigations Branch, said:

“It’s timely for Sussex Police that National Rape Awareness Week is taking place, as its key messages very much mirror our own rape awareness campaign. The TV adverts are extremely powerful and thought-provoking. The fact they’re being shown on national TV can only help raise awareness.

“We don’t want to be ‘killjoys’, but we do want people to think about the potential consequences on a night out if they drink too much. The national campaign and our campaign both aim to highlight the problems excess drink can cause in sexual behaviour.

“It’s important to stress that the risk of being sexually assaulted by a total stranger in Sussex is very small. However, by drinking high levels of alcohol victims sometimes place themselves in vulnerable situations. This can be particularly true if they are with someone they have only recently met that evening.


“Obtaining clear consent is a key issue. If the other person asks you to stop, stop. If you have sex and the other person did not clearly say yes – it is rape and you could be arrested, charged and sent to prison. When you have sex you also need to be sure the other person is in a fit state to truly consent.

“The best way for people to avoid getting into these types of situation is to control alcohol consumption on a night out. Thinking about your personal safety also extends beyond rape prevention. For example, the risk of being knocked over by a vehicle when you leave a pub or club is far greater if you’re drunk.

“If you go off with someone, tell friends where you’re going and who with. At the end of the night, don’t walk home alone. Stay with a friend or use a fully licensed taxi. We want people to have a fun, but safe, Christmas.

“Regardless of the circumstances, we would urge victims of rape to come forward. If you've been the victim of rape or serious sexual assault you can either contact the police direct or via another person or service you feel comfortable with.

“Sussex Police take all offences of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously. Any reports we receive are fully investigated and ongoing, comprehensive support is provided to the victim.

“Sussex Police has specially trained officers for rape victims, as well as links to support networks so that victims receive the best possible care. The opening of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Crawley earlier this year has improved this level of care and support even further.

“The SARC has now developed as a pan Sussex partnership between local authorities and Primary Care Trusts in East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove – the first of its kind. It can be contacted by phoning 01293 600469 or via its website - www.saturncentre.org.”