EXCLUSIVE: New campaign to tackle rising levels of sexual assault

A new sexual consent awareness campaign will be launched today by the PSNI, we can exclusively reveal.

'No Grey Zone' aims to highlight the issue of sexual consent and educate and empower people to ask the right questions and know what is acceptable and what is not.

It follows record levels of sexual assault and rape in Northern Ireland, with nearly 3,500 cases reported to police.

In many rape cases - it's often a battle of he said - she said - which could be why out of the 415 reports or charges of rape last year in Northern Ireland - Only 64 made it to court, and of that, just 15 defendants were found guilty.

But this Campaign is trying to prevent that happening - by making it clear that consent has NO grey zone.

A range of partner agencies including Nexus, Public Prosecution Service, Queen’s Students’ Union, Ulster University Students’ Union and Victim Support are backing the campaign.

Cara Cash from Nexus NI says it's a great way to highlight the issue - and get more victims to come forward.

"We see it as 1 more opportunity to break the silence – we and many partner organisations come up against some frustrating myths and misconceptions about consent and sexual violence – but this is an opportunity for all those organisation who come up against this to say this is black and white – there’s no grey zone when it comes to consent or sexual violence.”

"We should be making the journey as easy as possible for the victim so if that means we talk more that’s what we should do – hopefully we will see more collaboration like this to make that path easier for victims."

Cara also told Downtown/Cool FM what they tell victims when they contact their service:

"We always say it’s likely to get bad before it gets better – but the impact of our services are life changing. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim to get in contact with ourselves, the police or any support service available”.

The campaign worked closely with Queen’s Students Union and the findings from their Stand Together Report which showed that just over 4% of students who said they had been sexually assaulted reported it to the police.

Half of those assaulted hadn’t told anyone about their experience.

Welfare Officer Sinéad Henry says its vital students know what is ok and what isn't.

"People don’t realise after they have a couple of drinks that they can blame themselves for being in that position – but it’s not and never will be their fault and that’s what we want to highlight to students in this campaign.

"Assaults here are right across the board from groping in a nightclub to sexual assault and rape.

We want all students to know that it’s not ok and they are not alone. We just need victims to come forward so we can give them the help and support they need.

"For many starting university it’s the first time they may be in the company and not know how to act around the other gender. This campaign will show people that there is no grey zone – its black and white and people don’t have to suffer alone."

The campaign will be launched later today.