Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched a new social media campaign designed to dismantle harmful assumptions and common misconceptions surrounding rape and sexual assault.

The initiative follows findings from the 2019 Gillen Review, which identified the pervasive impact of rape myths on both societal attitudes and jury verdicts in Northern Ireland.

The first phase of the campaign, titled Rape Myths = Real Harm, consists of 12 graphics that will be released through the Department of Justice's social media channels. These resources will also be shared by partner agencies to reach a wider audience and challenge the tropes that often shift blame from the perpetrator to the victim.

Minister Naomi Long said: "Unfortunately, myths about rape are still widespread. They create shame, self-blame and, in many cases, prevent people from reporting these crimes, allowing perpetrators to escape justice.

"Sir John Gillen's message was clear: rape myths shift blame from the perpetrator to the victim. My Department, alongside our partners, have developed a series of graphics to challenge these misconceptions.

"There is no typical victim. There is no typical response to trauma. Responsibility for rape or sexual assault lies solely with the perpetrator — never the victim. We all have a role in challenging these myths. Rape myths cause real harm. It's up to all of us to shatter them."

Sir John Gillen, whose review dedicated an entire chapter to this issue, warned that such myths "poison" the criminal justice process by introducing false premises into investigations and jury deliberations. He noted that these outdated tropes contribute to a culture of silent tolerance and victim-blaming.

Sir John said: "I know from my experience in interviewing many victims and survivors in the course of my Review in 2019 that the presence of rape myths is one of the reasons that victims feel so helpless, ashamed and consumed with self-blame. They feed their reluctance to report to police, or engage with the criminal justice system, allowing perpetrators to escape justice and repeat their crimes."

Welcoming the campaign, Sir John added: "As Seamus Heaney said: 'It is time to set the darkness echoing.'"

The initiative has also been welcomed by Nexus NI, an organisation supporting those affected by sexual violence. CEO Joanne Barnes described the campaign as an essential step in building a society where survivors are heard and supported.

Joanne Barnes said: "Challenging the harmful myths that surround sexual violence is essential if we are to build a society where survivors are heard and supported, free from shame and stigma. This new social media campaign shines a light on the facts, counters long-standing misconceptions and helps create space for informed, compassionate conversations."