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A local sexual assault support charity set up by a rape survivor has brought out a hard-hitting video highlighting the lingering effects of sexual assault on a victim’s mind, body and soul.
Jersey Action Against Rape is campaigning during Sexual Assault Awareness month to get Islanders to talk more and make sure they’ve got active consent before having sex.
You can see the video here produced by the charity that has helped more than 200 people since it was set up just over a year ago by Cassidy McIntosh using the court payout she won from her attacker.
Cassidy waived her legal right to anonymity after she became the first person to take a civil action for rape to the Jersey courts.
Her attacker settled the case, paying her £150,000 in damages and legal costs – with the money, she set up Jersey Action Against Rape to support sexual assault survivors and campaign for greater awareness of sexual assault issues.
Sara McIntosh – Cassidy’s mother said: “In keeping with this theme we made our film the way we did in hope that it’s message would also linger in your, the viewer’s, mind.”
The charity has also designed four posters that will be going up around the Island, each portraying a different scenario when it's time for people to 'Ask the Question' - do they have active consent?
Mrs McIntosh said: "Through the campaign JAAR also aims to address common myths surrounding rape to ensure that Jersey has a clear and factual understanding of sexual assault.
"This myth busting aims to shif the common blame from survivors to the perpetrators of rapes. JAAR hopes that raising awareness about sexual assualt and consent will lead to a reduction in the number of sexual assualts and rapes in Jersey."
The team will also be out in town this month raising awareness and giving information about the support and services they provide. You'll find them in King Street on 15 April.
You can call the charity’s confidential helpline on 01534 482800 and reach Jersey Action Against Rape here.
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