Consent Coalition Launches in Nottingham
This Sexual Violence Awareness Week, Nottingham asks ‘are you clued up on consent?’
Do you know that removing a condom during sex without consent is rape? Do you know that you need to get consent for sexual activity even if you are in a relationship?
These questions and others are set to be tackled by what is believed to be the country’s first multi-agency approach to consent, sexual violence and abuse.
The Consent Coalition is made up of many organisations, including specialist sexual violence sector organisations, statutory services and universities. They stand together to say that Nottingham does not tolerate any form of sexual violence and they hope you will too.
The Consent Coalition is asking people to get involved with the conversation around consent, by taking their survey and looking at, using and sharing the many resources available on its website.
Together the Consent Coalition is working to:
- Raise awareness of the importance of consent
- Challenge myths about rape and sexual violence
- Encourage survivors to access support and/or make a report, if they choose to do so
The launch, which coincides with the beginning of Sexual Violence Awareness Week, it will include a #GetConsent poster and information campaign across its social media channels. This campaign is centred around a series of posters with positive messages on consent and asks ‘Do you get consent?’ Extra information and free-to-download posters are available on the website.
Alongside the campaign, the Coalition has also created a booklet called Your Journey, which is a guide for survivors of sexual violence on the range of support and reporting options available, whether or not they choose to report to the police.
Councillor Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Communities at Nottingham City Council, said:
“No one should have to experience sexual violence or abuse. Yet people often believe this risk comes from ‘stranger danger’ and being attacked by someone unknown to them. Unfortunately the reality is, victims are more likely to know the perpetrator who harms them, they may even be in a relationship or married.”
“In Nottingham we are committed to ensuring that victims and survivors are given the specialist support they need. We want to ensure people are not alone in their time of need. This campaign shows our dedication to protecting and educating people. We hope that people will embrace this campaign and share our vision of being a city free from sexual violence.”
The Consent Coalition wants people to feel informed and empowered to make their own decisions and choices. By promoting positive conversations around consent and providing support information for survivors, it is clear in its message that Nottingham does not tolerate any form of sexual violence.
There are many opportunities for people and businesses to get involved with the campaign, which can include raising awareness of the campaign and joining the conversation on social media, downloading resources and posters from the website and answering the consent survey to help future conversations around consent.
Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, added:
“Reports of rape and sexual violence have risen over recent years and I urge anyone who has been attacked in this way to report it to the police so that the person responsible can be brought to justice. It’s also important for their own recovery from this most traumatic type of crime that they access the specialised support services that are available to them.
“We are doing everything we can to make people aware of the potential for problems, and indeed the law. But we can help each other too. I ask everyone on a night out with friends to look out for each other, and if they think that someone needs help to make sure they receive it and are safe from harm.”
Please feel free to visit the Consent Coalition website for more information and support…https://nottssvss.org.uk/consent-coalition/
Additional Information to Include:
Consent Coalition – Sexual Violence and Consent Survey Link:
https://nottssvss.org.uk/consent-coalition/consent-survey/
Consent Coalition Social Media Links:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ConsentInNotts
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ConsentInNotts
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/consentinnotts/
