Police launch The Good Consent Guide

Devon and Cornwall Police is promoting a new campaign around sexual consent, which aims to educate and inform young people around what can sometimes be a confusing issue.

The campaign, which targets 16 to 21 year olds, also promotes the message that there are #noblurredlines – sex without consent is rape.

Young people may feel pressured into having sex when they don’t want to or aren’t ready to as a result of peer pressure, fear, lack of knowledge or the consumption of alcohol and/or drugs which clouds their judgement.

Equally, young people, sometimes inexperienced in socialising, can misread or misunderstand the signals being sent out. These issues occur regardless of gender preference.

Detective Inspector Andrea Kingdon, of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We want to help young people to stay safe and for them to be aware of and understand the issues surrounding consent. We aim to reassure people that it’s their choice whether or not they have sex with someone.  We also want clarify when consent has or hasn’t been given.   This may be unclear, for example, if they’ve been dating, or had a drink, or if they’ve had sex before.  We’re trying to make sure people understand that consent must be given by both parties prior to sex and that sex without consent is rape.

“We also want to let young people know that if they need help or advice about an incident, we have specially trained officers and support agencies who can help them. Devon and Cornwall Police works in partnership with support agencies across the region to provide support for victims.”

John Clements, Independent Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Children Board added: “It's vital that young people understand what consent is and that sex without consent is rape. Consent must be freely and positively given.  Someone under the heavy influence of alcohol or drugs isn't capable of giving consent.  This campaign will be an important and positive tool for promoting empathy and healthy relationships between young men and women.”

A number of posters and social media messages, with simple and bold designs, have been created to encourage young people to think about whether or not consent has been given to them, or by them, in any given situation. The Force website provides a new ‘good consent guide’ page which provides useful guidance around consent.

For help and guidance around consent visit www.goodconsentguide.co.uk.