No Consent, No Sex – Rochdale’s rape awareness campaign

Reporter: Nicola Bamford
Date online: 17 December 2008

Let your hair down, not your guard – that’s the message for women across Rochdale this Christmas as the police put their rape awareness campaign into action.

Posters are to be distributed in Rochdale’s bars, pubs, and clubs to warn women about the dangers of drunkenness.

Detective Inspector Stephen Earnshaw, from GMP’s Rochdale division, said: “We are committed to supporting victims of rape and serious sexual assault throughout the year. However, during the festive period there are increasing concerns over those that drink large quantities of alcohol, leaving themselves vulnerable to a number of crimes, including rape and sexual assaults.

This emphasis on alcohol over-consumption coincides with the NHS’s new £10 million campaign aimed at stressing the importance to all drinkers about knowing their limits.

Although this may be felt to dampen the Christmas spirit, the harsh truth is that awareness is necessary. Between December 16th 2007 and December 16th 2008, police have dealt with 44 reported rape cases and 70 indecent assault cases related to women.

And it is not just the police helping victims. Across the UK there are many organisations aimed at aiding women in these situations. One of these is St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

A joint creation by the Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust and the Greater Manchester Police Authority, the centre was established over twenty years ago and is the longest established sexual assault referral centre in the country.

Dr Catherine White, Clinical Director of the renowned establishment, said: “St Mary’s is an independent service that offers free and confidential advice to all victims of rape. Anyone who has been assaulted - whether recently or in the past – can access our services directly. These services include a comprehensive examination as well as ongoing one to one counselling and advice on related health issues.”