Ministers join forces to promote anti-rape message aimed at students

Focussing on students in higher and further education, the aim of the campaign is two-fold: To reinforce the message that non-consensual sex is a crime and to raise awareness of how alcohol can impact judgement. It is sponsored by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Department of Justice, the Department for Employment and Learning, and the PSNI.

It began on Thursday of last week, and will run until the end of November. It includes a banner message for computers in higher education institutions and further education colleges across the Province and will be followed by a poster campaign in washrooms at clubs and pubs frequented by students.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “The campaign will encourage students to protect themselves and ensure that victims of sexual violence and abuse know they are not alone and should come forward to get the help they require.

The message will include a website address were vicitms of sexual crimes can get information and support: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/wrong

Stressing that the campaign is also aimed at increasing understanding of the criminal law in relation to consensual sex, the Justice Minister, David Ford, said: “This campaign makes it very clear that sex without consent is a crime which carries very serious consequences. The message is very clear, ‘no’ means ‘no’ and anyone who doesn’t respect that will find themselves facing the full rigours of the law.”