Campaign encourages young people to talk about consent

Since 2019 there has been an increase of just over 60 per cent in recorded sexual offences in Cheshire where the victim and the suspect/offender were both under the age of 18.

Data shows that offences are most likely to be peer-on-peer, and just over 85 per cent of all recorded sexual offences are carried out by boys.

Research suggests that the data held on sexual offences is only a fraction of the wider problem, as a large percentage of victims do not report their experience.

“Sexual activity is an uncomfortable subject to talk about, but research shows that encouraging effective communication and empowering young people to have positive conversations with their peers and their partners is essential to helping reduce sexual offending,” said Cheshire Constabulary.

The force has launched a thought-provoking and impactive campaign that will inspire young people to talk openly about consent and shift the societal attitudes that conversations around sexual activity are taboo.

This is through video content that speaks directly to young people in their language; emulating the content they consume every day, and in a format they understand.

The campaign features five scenarios that young people could find themselves in, and they all play out in different ways – some positive and some negative. These scenarios have been shown to groups of young people and their thought-provoking reactions and discussions captured on camera – all packaged together to be used as educational tools in the classroom.

The campaign will initially be launched to schools across Cheshire and will be supported through social media and digital advertising, targeting teenagers and parents to continue conversations at home.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “Nationally we have seen a staggering increase in the number of recorded sexual offences.

“In tackling any crime, it is important to thoroughly understand its nature if you are to effectively tackle it and this is particularly so with such a broad and serious offending category as sexual offences. If you do not understand the detail, you cannot apply the right preventative measures.

“For example, we have seen an increase in the number of reports of assaults from many years ago, which may well reflect greater confidence in the police response but tackling that type of offence is very different to dealing with the thankfully rare, stranger sexual assaults.

“Prevention has always got to be our priority and, particularly with young people, it prevents the harm that can wreck lives.

“Whilst we will always rigorously investigate sexual assaults and have the highest positive outcome rates in the country, education and awareness are our focus with young people where we see far too many cases when there are clearly issues around the understanding of consent. That is why this campaign is so important as we work with partners to protect young people.”

The campaign has been launched to an audience of safeguarding representatives from more than 50 schools and partner organisations across Cheshire, at an exclusive preview this week.

They have been encouraged to use this campaign within their schools to support the PHSE curriculum and demonstrate their commitment in working with Cheshire Constabulary to help keep young people safe.

Assistant Chief Constable Una Kelly, head of crime for Cheshire Constabulary, said: “Early intervention in schools has the potential to help reduce offending and prevent the likelihood of pupils becoming victims.

“It is vital we educate young people on the importance of consent, the benefits of talking about consent, and the long-lasting consequences both to the victim and the offender if consent is not willingly given.

“The constabulary’s new campaign will enhance the hard work already being done in this area and will demonstrate to young people how easy it can be to become involved in situations that they can quickly lose control of.

“Through this campaign we will enable young people to understand that they have a choice and they have a voice. We are also giving give schools an effective tool to support and safeguard their students in order to help reduce offending now and in the future.”

The force currently provides training to schools via sexual violence and training experts, Purple Leaf and LimeCulture, as part of its Safer Streets project. This training is used to support staff in identifying young people who may be experiencing sexual offences and help to prevent sexual misconduct in education.

Cheshire Constabulary said Purple Leaf and LimeCulture were consulted at “developmental milestones” throughout the campaign to make sure the content was created upon sound research, reflects industry advice and guidance and was appropriate for the audience.

The campaign has also been developed in consultation with Cheshire’s Youth Commission and Winsford’s New Images Youth Centre to gain early support from young people, encourage them to help shape the campaign and ensure it is something that will resonate with them.

It is also supported by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre – Cheshire and Merseyside and MyCWA (formerly Cheshire Without Abuse) – which were also consulted throughout to ensure it reflected their guidance and was appropriate for the audience.

All scenarios were filmed in the presence of an intimacy coordinator, who worked with the film director, cast and crew to make sure that intimate scenes were carried out safely, respectfully and consensually.

Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner Dan Price said: “As the voice of the public on police and crime matters in Cheshire, I know that lack of consent is an issue that our schools face all too often.

“I hope that offering schools and students the education and tools they need about this topic will help to protect young people, and especially women and girls, something that is a real priority for me.”