ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
In Lambeth, we have one of the highest rates of rape and sexual violence in London with 247 reported sexual offences in 2011/12.
A significant number of rapes reported have involved perpetrators who have briefly known the victim and are classified by the Metropolitan Police Service as stranger 2 incidents. For example, the victim and perpetrator may have met at a club, party or bar. Many of the incidents are connected to the night time economy in Brixton Town Centre, Vauxhall and Streatham High Road. Offences are most likely to occur from Friday to Sunday nights.
Our campaign
The aims of our campaign are to:
- increase understanding of the law around rape, particularly the issue around consent
- provide a clear stance on our zero tolerance approach to violence against women and
- encourage women to report rape and other sexual assaults, as well as promote awareness of support services available to victims.
Our campaign is focussed on behaviour and attitude change amongst men. We know that not all men are rapists or sexual predators and we in no way wish to suggest that they are. But we do know that rapes and sexual offences are being committed in Lambeth by men. We know that there is confusion over the law, particularly around consent. We know that there is confusion about what is acceptable behaviour.
'Know the difference' aims to encourage men to make sure that they know the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and to draw their attention to the legal and social consequences of their actions.