14/03/2006
Government launches sex consent campaign
The government has launched an advertising campaign warning men that they could face a jail sentence if they have sex without consent.
The adverts will features in men's magazines, radio stations and pub washrooms, targeting men aged between 18-24, in order to raise awareness and understanding of consent.
The £400,000 campaign will run until the end of April and aims to reduce the number of offences committed and increase reporting rapes.
Launching the campaign, Home Office Minister Fiona MacTaggart said: "For a long time, work to raise awareness of sexual violence has focused on the need for women to take responsibility for their personal safety. That is still important, but I believe that we need to start putting the onus onto men and make them aware of their responsibilities."
In 2004, according to Home Office figures, only 5.8% of reported rapes resulted in a conviction. However, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 set down, for the first time, that a defendant in a rape case would need to show that they have reasonable grounds to believe that the other person had given their consent.
The Act also introduced a definition of consent - that a person consents if they agree by choice and has "the freedom and capacity to make that choice".
(KMcA/GB)
The adverts will features in men's magazines, radio stations and pub washrooms, targeting men aged between 18-24, in order to raise awareness and understanding of consent.
The £400,000 campaign will run until the end of April and aims to reduce the number of offences committed and increase reporting rapes.
Launching the campaign, Home Office Minister Fiona MacTaggart said: "For a long time, work to raise awareness of sexual violence has focused on the need for women to take responsibility for their personal safety. That is still important, but I believe that we need to start putting the onus onto men and make them aware of their responsibilities."
In 2004, according to Home Office figures, only 5.8% of reported rapes resulted in a conviction. However, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 set down, for the first time, that a defendant in a rape case would need to show that they have reasonable grounds to believe that the other person had given their consent.
The Act also introduced a definition of consent - that a person consents if they agree by choice and has "the freedom and capacity to make that choice".
(KMcA/GB)
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