#GetConsent campaign launches in Northern Lincolnshire
Humberside Police are working to protect vulnerable people as part of ‘Operation Contract’
As nightclubs have re-opened, officers will be patrolling town and city centres to speak with door staff and licensees to raise awareness on consent issues across Northern Lincolnshire.
Police will also be on the look out for vulnerable people who have had too much too drink.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Thorp is leading the campaign, he said:
“You might wonder why we are doing this campaign now. Before the pandemic we know that 25% of rapes and sexual assaults that were reported to us were directly linked to the night-time economy, and half of those involved drugs and alcohol consumption.
“The summer months of July and August are the months in which we tend to see the highest number of reports of sexual assault and rape to our control centre.
“This campaign is all about raising awareness of the issue of consent in the hope that we can prevent, reduce and stop offenders from targeting vulnerable people. #GetConsent is about exactly that - Just because you meet someone on a night out and you flirt, dance and kiss doesn’t mean that that person wants to take things any further or have sex. If they are drunk or have taken drugs means you may not be able to be confident that the person is fully happy with the situation or indeed able to consent to what is happening.
“Consent is about respect and not either assuming the other person is OK with what is happening or taking advantage of that person when they are vulnerable. Consent is paramount. Let’s be clear in our message - Sex without consent is rape.”
The #GetConsent campaign is going to be running in conjunction with the live policing operation, Operation Contract, which also launches now that the restrictions have eased.
PCC Jonathan Evison said, "I fully support this campaign, the night time economy will soon be busy again and it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of each other, especially when someone is vulnerable or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
"I’m pleased to see Humberside Police stepping up patrols, the summer months are when these types of offences usually see an increase and the message is clear, no means no, and sex without consent is rape, there are no excuses.”