Sex Crimes Rising Warn PSNI

There has been a renewed warning today over the growing numbers of rapes or attempted rape crimes in Northern Ireland.

As Halloween and the festive party season approach, the latest police figures have shown that between April and the end of September this year, 261 incidents were recorded, in comparison to 235 over the same period last year.

In a bid to tackle the problem, the PSNI has re-launched an awareness campaign called Be SMART, in partnership with the Stormont health and justice departments.

Posters and advertisements placed in entertainment venues across the country and in colleges will warn women to watch what they drink on a night out.

Targeting 'sex without consent' the emphasis is on this being a serious crime with the consequences for being convicted devastating on both the victim and accused.

Meanwhile, and also on law and order, the NI Justice Minister David Ford has published the first ever strategy specifically aimed at assisting women offenders in Northern Ireland.

Part of his agenda to reshape the justice system, the 'Strategy to Manage Women Offenders and those Vulnerable to Offending Behaviour' aims to tackle the underlying problems that can result in offending behaviour amongst women and deal with them, where possible, in the community.

The strategy, developed by the Department after extensive consultation, seeks to provide effective support and interventions for women offenders and those identified at risk of offending.

David Ford said: "Only a small proportion of offenders in Northern Ireland are women but their offending behaviour can have a huge impact on their children and families.

"If we are serious about reducing crime and making our communities safer, then we must be imaginative in how we reduce offending. This strategy, which is supported by the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, will deliver help for women offenders and those at risk of offending," he said.

(BMcC/GK)