As Christmas is almost upon us and Father Christmas checks his list of presents, Humberside Police is asking women in the area to make a list and check it twice before heading out to celebrate the festivities.
In the final week of a three week rape awareness campaign across the region of East Riding to help reduce incidents of rape and sexual assault, Humberside Police are sending out a list of key messages to help women stay safe.
The first week of the campaign centered around the dangers of getting too drunk and the fact that alcohol has reportedly played a role in two-thirds of reported sexual offences.
Week two focused on how police will work with local licenseed premises and that No means No, whether it be saying no to another alcoholic drink or a woman saying no to a man.
This week is all about making a checklist and ensuring that the night starts out safely and finishes in the same way.
Detective Superintendent Christine Kelk, Force Lead for Serious Sexual Assaults said:
“We took the approach to warn women of the dangers they face whilst out drinking, due to the increase in numer of reported sexual assaults at this time of year.
“As the party season approaches we want people who are going out to have a good time but to keep themselves safe.”
“As part of the campaign women are being told “LET YOUR HAIR DOWN NOT YOUR GUARD” and men are warned “RAPE: SHORT WORD LONG SENTENCE” and are reminded of the need to seek consent for sex.
“Ultimately we want to prevent rape from occurring in the first place and by arming potential victims with the following key advice we feel this will help reduce the number of sexual offences.”
The key messages police are aiming to get across are:
Plan your journey home – Make sure you know where you will be ending up. Are you going back home or will you be staying with a friend?
Let people know where you are going and when you’ll be home – If you are going to be staying out then let the people you live with know. If you live on your own then maybe get a friend to stay with you.
Eat something before you drink – Dont go out drinking on an empty stomach, not only will you feel more than worse for wear the next day, but the food will help soak up the alcohol.
Try not to drink in rounds – This will help to prevent you drinking more than you wanted and intended to. Also try and stick to a budget.
Pace yourself and avoid binge drinking – know your limits. It is not a race when out drinking and who wants to be the first one feeling ill?
Don’t mix alcohol and drugs – everyone knows the consequences of this and the potentailly life threatening dangers.
Don’t leave your drink unattended, and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
Have the number of a registered taxi firm in your phone or handbag – NEVER get in a taxi on your own or with somebpdy you dont know.
If you are out in a group then stay in a group – Do not be in a pub or club on your own. Make sure somebody knows were you are at all times.
Humberside Police have issued a number of posters to licenceed premises and various other outlets such as taxi ranks, hairdressers and takeaways to help support this three week campaign.
