'If it isn't yes, it's rape': West Yorkshire Police launch Christmas campaign to tackle seasonal rise in reported sexual assaults

If it isn't yes, it's rape.

That's the message from West Yorkshire Police, who have launched a Christmas campaign to raise awareness of the seasonal rise in reported rapes and sexual assaults during the Christmas party season.

In a series of posters, the campaign shows men and women in social situations to highlight the fact that in around half of reported serious sexual offences, the perpetrator and victim were acquaintances.

Analysis of sexual offences involving people aged 15 and over reported to West Yorkshire Police over 12 months revealed that some the perpetrators and victim met in a bar or club, and alcohol was also found to be a factor, with most offences taking place on Friday, Saturday or Sunday between midnight and 7am.

Nationally, police forces tend to see an increase in reports of rape and sexual offences over the festive period.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said people have a lot of misconceptions about what rape is and where the boundaries are when it comes to consent.

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He said: "It is worth stressing that stranger rapes are extremely rare with the vast majority of offences happening within a relationship or where the victim and perpetrator are friends or acquaintances.

"This campaign is about highlighting that whether two people have shared a flirtation or have previously been intimate, it makes no difference, the only important thing is that both people give consent at that time. Consent is also about saying yes, not not saying no."

Police will be working with retailers in the run-up to Christmas as well as bars, clubs and other late night venues.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said: "I hope this campaign helps people on a night out think about what rape is, and how that innocent dance in the club isn’t consent for sex or that flirty kiss at the Christmas party doesn’t mean anything else will automatically follow."

Earlier this year a dedicated sexual assault referral centre (SARC) was established in West Yorkshire for victims of sexual offences.

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The centre offers free confidential support, access to a medical examiner, referrals to healthcare services and Independent Sexual Advisors to men and women and is available whether or not the victim decides to report the incident to police.

Police advise victims of rape or sexual assault to dial 999 — the sooner an assault is reported, the more evidence police will be able to collect.