Get Consent

As part of our valuable work around the protection of vulnerable people we’ve launched a public engagement campaign called #GetConsent. The campaign aims to remind people about the importance of consent when engaging in any sexual activity and is a particular concern to Humberside Police in the summer months;  June – August see the highest number of reports of sexual assault and rape in our area.

Do you know that 1 in 4 reported rapes or sexual offences in Humberside are directly linked to night time socialising? And half of these incidents involve drugs and alcohol? Analysis shows that these offences often happen around midnight, typically coinciding with the closure of pubs and bars.

Our #GetConsent campaign is to educate and remind everyone that consent is paramount. Each and every time.

Sex without consent is rape.

To find out more about the context behind the campaign, please watch this short film.

Understanding consent

What separates sex, or a gesture of affection, from sexual assault? It's a matter of consent. That is, both people agreeing to what's happening by choice, and having the freedom and ability to make that choice.

See Consent is Everything for detailed advice and information.

Operation Contract

Our #GetConsent campaign is running in conjunction with a live policing operation called Operation Contract. Operation Contract is a Humberside Police initiative focused on maintaining a safe environment for those enjoying the night-time economy.

The operation has been established to coincide with the easing of Covid lockdown restrictions with the aim of officers on the ground stopping and reducing opportunities for potential offenders to target vulnerable people, therefore preventing them from committing sexual offences, such as assault and rape.

Officers will be proactively patrolling the key 'night-life' hotspots in towns and cities. Wearing both high–visibility and plain clothing, they’ll be speaking with door staff and licensees and building on existing relationships to help these gatekeepers spot the signs of potential concern before it turns into anything more alarming.

While on patrol, officers will also be looking out for anyone behaving suspiciously with another person who looks too inebriated to take care of themselves. This could be someone trying to get someone else on their own into a dark corner or secluded spot - or leading them outside and into a taxi or unmarked car.

We are also working closely with a number of partner agencies who are involved in the night-time economy including the four local authorities, Universities, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) along with local support groups such as the Street Angels.

We hope that this initiative, coupled with our awareness-raising #GetConsent campaign, will make people feel safe when they’re out socialising and enjoying a night out. Ultimately, we want to ensure that our towns and cities are safe places for everyone.

If you need help

If you think you may be a victim of rape or sexual assault and would like to discuss this further, you can report this online or call the police on 101.

Always call 999 in an emergency situation.

If you are not ready to report the offence to the police, you can contact the Sexual Adult Referral Centre (SARC) based in Hull on 0330 223 0181 for support and advice. The SARC is independent from the police and provides support for all adult victims of rape.

If you attend school, college or university, you can share your concerns with the appropriate Safeguarding Officer.