Summer safety campaign launched
Derbyshire Constabulary has teamed up with Derby Community Safety Partnership and Safer Derbyshire to launch a hard-hitting poster campaign across the county, appealing to young adults to stay safe this summer.
The posters feature a mirror instead of eyes in a photofit in a bid to drive home the message personally about one of the worst case scenarios of people drinking beyond their limits – sexual assault.
The first poster, aimed at perpetrators asks the poignant questions – ‘do you know this person? They drank too much and committed a sexual assault – make sure this isn’t you’. The other, aimed at victims of sexual assault: ‘Do you know this person? They were the victim of a sexual assault. Be aware, don’t let alcohol cloud your judgement’.
The key messages throughout the whole campaign are to drink responsibly, stay focused and know your limits and the posters will be displayed throughout pubs, clubs and bars this summer.
DCI Gary Goacher at Derbyshire police’s Public Protection Unit explained that alcohol related anti social behaviour and crime dramatically increased over the summer period.
Police records show that a third of people sexually assaulted thought that their attacker was under the influence of alcohol and a quarter of victims felt under the influence of alcohol before the attack– hence the focus of the campaign.
DCI Goacher said: “Derbyshire is still one of the safest places in the
“We have commissioned the posters from Derby Community Safety Partnership with the 18 to 30 age group in mind. This group is at highest risk of becoming a perpetrator of alcohol-fuelled sexual assault. Those at highest risk of becoming victims is a slightly younger age group, ranging up to mid 20’s.
”One of the worst consequences of drinking too much, losing inhibitions and putting yourself in danger by wandering off alone and not having enough money to get home safely is that you may become the victim of sexual assault or commit an offence which would otherwise be totally out of character.
“Therefore, our message to everyone this summer is to be aware of your own safety, ensure you don’t get split up from your friends and become vulnerable and always keep an eye on your drinks.”
“The posters will hopefully raise awareness of these dire consequences and, as they often go unreported, to clearly display the reporting numbers for Derbyshire police – 999 if you are in immediate danger and 0345 123 33 33 to report a crime.
“Also, anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault but does not want to report it to the Police can receive confidential, safe and anonymous support from Millfield House on 0845 1290111.”
Ends
Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945 665; sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk
Click here to return to the previous page