Hampshire Constabulary's Rape Awareness Week. 23 - 27 July 2012
We have launched our Rape Awareness campaign, supported by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Rape Crisis and the region's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Treetops).
We want to reinforce important messages about personal safety and how to prevent becoming a victim of sexual assault, focus on potential offenders and making them aware of the issues around consent and the consequences, promote the services of local support agencies and encourage victims to report sexual assaults to the police.
Analysis of sexual assault cases indicates there is often an increase in reports of assaults during the summer months, possibly the result of lighter evenings encouraging people to stay out drinking for longer or the increasing number of young people socialising during the summer break.
We also seeing an increasing trend in reports of rapes involving people who know each other. Almost half of all rapes reported to the force are acquaintance rapes.
Consent is one of the biggest issues in reported incidents of rape and sexual assault. And alcohol and/or drugs play a large part, impacting individual's judgement and ability to make rational decisions, both on the part of the victim and the perpetrator.
Each day the campaign will focus on a different aspect of the investigation and prevention of sexual assaults from a police perspective as well as the partners they work very closely with.
For more information on rape and sexual assault visit our dedicated pages on this website - click here.
Rape victim opens up about life after assault
To watch the video click here.
The victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, explains candidly in the interview what day-to-day life has been like following a stranger rape two and a half years ago.
In September 2009 the victim, on a night out in Southampton, had her drink spiked. Having lost all concept of what was going on around her, the victim was led out of the venue by the perpetrator and was raped and left unconscious in a park.
Now by speaking out about her experience the victim hopes she can help others going through a similar experience think about getting the help and support they need, to deal with what has happened to them. She also sends a message to potential perpetrators, because their actions have a devastating and long-lasting impact on victims, and the victims' family and friends.
On this occasion the victim in the video was raped by a stranger, but Hampshire Constabulary is seeing an increasing trend in reports of rapes involving people who know each other. Almost half of all rapes reported to the force are acquaintance rapes.
Consent is one of the biggest issues in reported incidents of rape and sexual assault. And alcohol and/or drugs play a large part, impacting individual's judgement and ability to make rational decisions, both on the part of the victim and the perpetrator.
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Snuggs of Hampshire Constabulary's Public Protection Unit said, "Consent to have sexual intercourse should be actively made by both parties involved. Both individuals should have the freedom and ability to make the decision to have sex. If this ability to consent is not there or consent is withdrawn at any point but sex still takes place then this is rape.
"The consequences and implications of having sex with someone who has not consented are serious. The maximum sentence that a judge can impose is life imprisonment. But even if an offender doesn't receive a sentence of this length, the conviction will remain with you for the rest of your life and you'll be placed on the Sex Offenders Register. It is vital to understand that anything less than a yes is a no, no matter the circumstances. Not being sure cannot be used as an excuse."
Day Two -
The role of a police Sexual Offences Investigation Trained (SOIT) officer
Click here to read an interview with PC Charlotte Donovan, one of the force's SOITs.
Day Three -
Hampshire Constabulary's Witness Care and the Crown Prosecution Service's role in supporting victims of rape
Click here to read how Hampshire Constabulary's Witness Care Officer Trina Murton and Simon Brenchley, Head of Crown Prosecution Service Wessex Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit (RASSO) support victims through the court process.
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Day Four -
Southampton Rape Crisis and Portsmouth Area Rape Crisis describe the work they do with local young people in Southampton and the Portsmouth areas.
Click here to read more about each service.
Day Five -
Make this a summer to remember for all the right reasons.
As part of Hampshire Constabulary's Rape Awareness Week, the forces Crime Prevention Advisor Barbara Clayton highlights the importance of being aware of yours and others personal safety this summer and provides this advice, which is relevant to both men and women.
Click here to read Barbara's advice.
Don't Cross the Line campaign
Lots of important work has rightly highlighted women and rape awareness, nothing much at all has targeted young men and it is important to make sure that men are aware of their responsibilities too and the consequences of engaging in sexual activity without understanding what those consequences are... You're only dealing with half the potential problem if you just deal with the situation in respect of women.
To have sex with somebody, both people involved need to be able to give their consent, but consent can be difficult to prove if drink is involved. If they can't give consent because they're so drunk or they've taken drugs then that's still rape. Young men have to be aware that if they did take advantage of a young woman, because she's either too drunk or she's had drugs, then they leave themselves open to an allegation of rape.
For more information about our Don't Cross the Line Campaign visit www.dontcrosstheline.co.uk