PSNI criticised over ‘victim blaming’ rape tweet

POLICE have been criticised over a tweet warning women about the dangers of “overindulging” alongside the message “without consent it is rape”.

On Tuesday evening the PSNI posted on its Twitter accounts: “If you’re going out this weekend put your safety first. Don’t over- indulge, stay with your friends and get home safely. #StaySafe”

Included was a picture of an upset woman with the caption: “Without consent it is rape.”

The posts sparked a heated reaction, with one MLA accusing the PSNI of “victim blaming”.

However, police said the message was not about “blaming victims” or “excused any behaviour that takes advantage of anyone who may appear vulnerable”. It was later removed and yesterday another tweet was published containing the same consent message, but this time with a male model used instead. Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon said she complained to police and they admitted the tweet was “unfortunate”.

“Obviously that was accepted as they did remove it and replace it”, she said. “The warning signs are there that we should not go down the line of blaming victims.”

Detective Superintendent Deirdre Bones defended the PSNI’s posts.

She said: “The ‘Without Consent it is rape’ campaign, which was launched in 2013, is used to highlight the issue of sexual offences against both male and female victims. It is very much victim centred, and reinforces our frequently repeated message that ‘no means no’.

“The PSNI is dedicated to keeping people safe and issues safety messages regularly to remind everyone of actions they can personally take to help protect themselves from any crime.

“It is a well-known fact that alcohol can cloud judgment.

“This is not about blaming victims in any way, nor does it excuse any behaviour that takes advantage of anyone who may appear vulnerable.”