PSNI Launches Sexual Consent Awareness Campaign

A new sexual consent awareness campaign has been launched by the PSNI.

The No Grey Zone campaign was announced by the PSNI in conjunction with a range of partner agencies including Nexus, Public Prosecution Service and Students' Unions both at Queen's and Ulster University.

No Grey Zone aims to raise awareness of what sexual assault is and what sexual consent is.

Head of the Public Protection Branch, Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman said: "Over the past number of years we have seen an increase in the number of sexual crimes being reported and we wanted to develop a campaign to educate young people about sexual consent and send the clear message that there is No Grey Zone.

"The campaign is specifically aimed at the target audience of 16 to 28 year olds. It uses clear language to give examples of sexual assault and brings the topic into the open in an unapologetic way. It is robust and fact based. We want people to hear and understand this message and start talking about sexual consent. As part of the campaign we have launched the No Grey Zone website – www.nogreyzone.com which is available to everyone to learn more about sexual assault and sexual consent, to find the truth about myths around sexual assault and to easily access information about support."

Detective Chief Superintendent Hilman continued: "As part of our research for the campaign we worked closely with Queen's Students' Union and the findings from their Stand Together Report which showed that just over 4% of students who said they had been sexually assaulted reported it to the police. Half of those assaulted hadn’t told anyone about their experience.

"It is vital that every single person in our society understands what sexual assault and consent is.

"We want a society where people feel supported and empowered to speak out when a sexual assault occurs."

(CD/MH)