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02/12/2011
Party Time Warning Over Rape Dangers
With Christmas parties just around the corner, the police has re-launched the Be SMART - Rape awareness campaign.
The PSNI campaign will run on Facebook sites throughout the month of December alongside a poster campaign and aims to help reduce the number of incidents of rape or attempted rape.
The Be SMART rape awareness campaign has dedicated messages for young women urging them to watch how much they drink on a night out. It also warns men that sex without consent is rape.
The initiative underlined that, for the first six months of the financial there have been 266 rape offences (including attempts) across Northern Ireland, in comparison to 304 for the same period last year.
The other good news is that the police's 'clearance rate' from April to 18 November of this year is 24.1 % in comparison to 17.0% for the same period last year that is an increase of 7.1%.
Speaking about the initiative Detective Inspector Gillian Kearney said: "Our figures show that there has been a decrease of 38 rapes or attempted rapes in the first six months of this financial year.
"Although our clearance rates have increased, we do not want to take this for granted or become complacent.
"With the Christmas party season now fully underway, I would encourage young people to be mindful about the amount of alcohol they consume on a night out.
"They should think, do I really need this last drink? It could end up being the one that they regret taking for many years to come," she said.
"Sex without consent is rape and the consequences for being convicted can have a devastating effect on both the victim and the accused.
"It is something sadly, the victim will have to live with for the rest of their life and it is likely that the accused will spend a very long time behind bars.
"We as a Police Service NI want this campaign to encourage people to make more informed, responsible and healthy decisions about their alcohol intake and also to think about the possible harmful consequences of impaired judgement."
The Facebook campaign will run throughout the month of December and we will be targeting male and females aged 16-29
The previous Be SMART campaign ran in October 2010
Supporting the initiative, Susan Reid from Victim Support NI said: "Rape shouldn't happen to anyone. If it happens to you we want you to remember that it isn't your fault.
"The effects of this type of crime can have harmful effects over time if you don't seek help. If we can't get you the support and information you need, we can put you in touch with the people and organisations that can," she urged.
(BMcC/GK)
The PSNI campaign will run on Facebook sites throughout the month of December alongside a poster campaign and aims to help reduce the number of incidents of rape or attempted rape.
The Be SMART rape awareness campaign has dedicated messages for young women urging them to watch how much they drink on a night out. It also warns men that sex without consent is rape.
The initiative underlined that, for the first six months of the financial there have been 266 rape offences (including attempts) across Northern Ireland, in comparison to 304 for the same period last year.
The other good news is that the police's 'clearance rate' from April to 18 November of this year is 24.1 % in comparison to 17.0% for the same period last year that is an increase of 7.1%.
Speaking about the initiative Detective Inspector Gillian Kearney said: "Our figures show that there has been a decrease of 38 rapes or attempted rapes in the first six months of this financial year.
"Although our clearance rates have increased, we do not want to take this for granted or become complacent.
"With the Christmas party season now fully underway, I would encourage young people to be mindful about the amount of alcohol they consume on a night out.
"They should think, do I really need this last drink? It could end up being the one that they regret taking for many years to come," she said.
"Sex without consent is rape and the consequences for being convicted can have a devastating effect on both the victim and the accused.
"It is something sadly, the victim will have to live with for the rest of their life and it is likely that the accused will spend a very long time behind bars.
"We as a Police Service NI want this campaign to encourage people to make more informed, responsible and healthy decisions about their alcohol intake and also to think about the possible harmful consequences of impaired judgement."
The Facebook campaign will run throughout the month of December and we will be targeting male and females aged 16-29
The previous Be SMART campaign ran in October 2010
Supporting the initiative, Susan Reid from Victim Support NI said: "Rape shouldn't happen to anyone. If it happens to you we want you to remember that it isn't your fault.
"The effects of this type of crime can have harmful effects over time if you don't seek help. If we can't get you the support and information you need, we can put you in touch with the people and organisations that can," she urged.
(BMcC/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
