A campaign to raise awareness of rape and serious sexual assault is being launched.
The latest figures show that more than 450 incidents have already been reported to police this year.
Your Choice has been created by Cumbria police, with the support of the University of Cumbria and its students’ union.
The focus of the campaign is to educate young adults and giving them the knowledge that they have a choice of confidential support services they can access should they find themselves the victim of rape or a sexual assault.
The support services can be accessed 24/7 regardless of whether a crime has just been committed or is historic.
The campaign content will feature on University of Cumbria’s intranet pages, screensavers and e-newsletter, posters will be featured across campuses on the backs of toilet doors and places of high footfall.
Police officers will attend Welcome Week events on two of the University of Cumbria’s campuses to raise awareness of this campaign.
Posters and content are also available for any business who wishes to support the campaign and police said several pubs and clubs and and higher education establishments have already taken them up on the offer.
The campaign has also been supported by partners including the police and crime commissioner, Cumbria Pride, The Bridgeway, Victim Support, Safety Net, CPS, Women Community Matters, NHS services, various higher educational establishments across Cumbria and more.
Campaigns by University of Cumbria Students’ Union and the Crown Prosecution Service will be promoted by the Constabulary during September, providing important information.
The Students’ Union campaign will focus on consent, education and support and the CPS will focus on the power of personal impact statements in sentencing hearings.
Between January 1 and September 2, there were 477 incidents reported to Cumbria Constabulary.
These were:
- 175 rape crimes
- 224 other sexual offences
- 78 reports of rape or attempted rapes, whether from victims, witnesses or third parties which are not immediately recorded as a confirmed crime.
The majority of rapes and other sexual offences occur where the offender is known to the victim, stranger rapes are rare, police said.
Detective Chief Inspector Vicki Coombes said: “Rape and serious sexual offences are life changing. They can devastate individuals, their families, and the wider community.
“We are focusing this campaign on young adults, as we have received feedback from that age group, that confidence in reporting a crime and accessing support services could be improved.
“Feedback also suggests that some 18 to 25-year-olds are not sure what happened to them due to myths around consent.
“We needed to proactively address this feedback and build confidence in knowledge, reporting and accessing support services.
“That’s why campaigns like this one are so important to run. There are so many myths when it comes to consent.
“We are working with the university’s student union during this campaign to really engage young adults with the key information they need.
“Consent needs to be given knowingly, fully and freely, every time. If someone is scared, intimidated, or intoxicated through drink or drugs then consent often can’t be given.
“I would urge people to ensure that they have full consent of anyone they are intimate with or they will face the life changing consequences.
“Whilst this campaign is targeted at young people, the information is relevant to everyone.
“It is important that everyone knows what the offences are, and the services available to support them should they need them.”
