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North Lincolnshire - Summer Rape Awareness Campaign

The campaign, which starts on Friday 17 June and runs until the start of September 2011 will focus on many different aspects of safety, including education, health and getting home safely. It will look at the work of Humberside Police, the SARC, the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor and the pubs and clubs across North Lincolnshire.

The officer leading the campaign, Humberside Police, Detective Sergeant Nicki Miller said: "It is important that at this time of year we remind people of the importance of staying safe, whilst going out around North Lincolnshire.

"We are keen to ensure that the number of sexual offences does not increase at this time of year and this is the main reason behind this campaign. We want the men and women of North Lincolnshire to go out and enjoy themselves but we don't want them to have a night they might regret.

"The campaign, which is mainly targeted at women, will also remind men of the part they play whilst out socialising. We want to remind them of the importance of knowing what consent means and educating them on the importance of being safe.

"I understand that not all people put themselves in vulnerable positions when out in the town centres, public houses and nightclubs, but it is important that we send a clear message to raise awareness of the possible dangers people might face during their night out or on the way home.

"We will be working with our partner agencies throughout the campaign, to help deliver the message. The posters will be displayed in prominent places such as pubs, nightclubs, hairdressers, taxi ranks and takeaway vendors."

Cllr Rob Waltham, cabinet member for Adult and Children’s Services at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The council is working in partnership with Humberside Police to educate the area’s young people on how to keep safe and not put themselves at risk.

“We will be raising awareness about keeping safe online to make sure young people using social networking sites know to take care when starting conversations with strangers and posting information about themselves.”

A spokesman for North Lincolnshire NHS Trust said: “The NHS trust will be working in partnership with Humberside Police during this campaign.

“The health message is an important part of this campaign and the NHS trust will be working to help deliver those messages across all of our relevant locations.

Paul Ferguson, Chairman of Pubwatch North Lincolnshire said: “Any campaign which raises awareness of keeping safe when drinking is a positive step, especially when it comes to young girls maintaining control of their own safety.

“As far as the pub trade is concerned, yes we want people to come out and have a good time, but we absolutely do not want then to be putting themselves at risk or falling victim to crime as a result of them visiting our venue's, we want all of our customers to remain safe and have only good memories of their night out with us, including the aftermath when they make their way home at the end of the night.”