#itsnotok: Police join national sex abuse and violence campaign

Monday 05 February 2018

Jersey Police are taking part in the National Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week until Sunday in a bid to raise awareness around this type of crime, which they believe is still underreported.

Using the hashtag #itsnotok on social media, they want to highlight issues relating to the subject of sexual abuse and violence throughout the week.

Last year, the Force dealt with 186 sexual offences both recent and non-recent and while they say they have seen "a greater confidence in reporting incidents of this", they believe they are still underreported.

Police work closely with numerous agencies when dealing with sexual offending, including key stakeholders such as Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR), Jersey Domestic Abuse Support (JDAS), Brook and Jersey Women’s Refuge. They also partner with Prison Me No Way to offer education packages to schools on the subject of sexual violences.

Police officers are also close to Dewberry House, Jersey’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). Opened in May 2017, it has so far responded to 54 victims of sexual assault. Last November, Laura Osmand, the SARC co-ordinator, said that allegations in the media against people such as Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein, and various UK MPs, were encouraging victims to speak out.

The SARC not only supports the work of the police when investigating sexual offences, it also provides 24-hour medical care to victims as well as emotional and practical support to men, women and children who have experienced sexual assault. Following a rape or sexual assault, if the victim does not wish for the police to be involved the SARC provides the medical examination. They also keep any forensic evidence for up to two years, so that if at any time a victim decides to talk to police, this can be arranged. 

Chief Inspector Alison Fossey said: “Sexual abuse and violence is something that can affect anyone of any age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity or religion and can have a long-term devastating effect on the victims. I hope that this week of awareness will reassure victims that we are committed to investigating these incidents and bringing offenders before the courts.

"We take all instances of sexual abuse and sexual violence very seriously and we hope be that by supporting the UK campaign, we can help to raise awareness locally about this matter and signpost the other agencies that are available to victims of this type of abuse."