No means No

30 December 2011

Suffolk Police is launching two videos as part of a campaign to help young people avoid becoming involved in drink-related offences, particularly sexual assaults and rape.

The videos are part of the “no means no” campaign in which the police have teamed up with Harmoni, which runs sexual health services for NHS Suffolk.

The videos look at one night out with consequences, from two different perspectives - the male and female.

The campaign has three main messages – responsibility, consent and look after your friends.

For the police, the campaign is aimed at reducing drink-related offences – and warning young people that if they drink too much, they may endanger other people as well as leaving themselves vulnerable.

Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Cutler said: “The campaign is designed to make young people think about how short-term actions can have long-term consequences.

“When most people hear the word rape, they tend to think of a stranger waiting in bushes and attacking women as they walk home late at night. The reality is far from this though – and most of the rapes reported to us involved people who are known to each other.

“Alcohol can affect your judgement, make you lose you inhibitions and mean you take risks and cross the line. Have sex with someone who hasn’t said yes to it, and you could end up going to prison for rape.