Police apology over sexual consent leaflet

British police have apologised after handing out a sexual assault prevention leaflet titled 'R U Asking 4 It?' The leaflet was given to students at a sexual consent talk.

Avon and Somerset Police were accused of 'victim blaming' after pupils from the North Bristol Post 16 Centre attended the Only Yes Means Yes event. The leaflets were produced nearly 10 years ago and were aimed at student safety following a spate of robberies and vehicle crime.

Students took to Twitter to criticise the police for handing out the leaflet. Eloise Mainstone wrote: “We should be teaching people not to rape, not teaching us how to avoid it.” Chlo Winfield added: “Have you seen this? ‘R u asking 4 it?’ Appalling message from  police to students.”

Avon and Somerset  police said the leaflets were “inappropriate” for the session and would be destroyed.

Chief Inspector Marie Wright, force lead for rape and sexual assault, said: “Any suggestion that a victim of rape or sexual assault can ever, in any way, be to blame is totally unacceptable and is the exact opposite of the message we’ve worked so hard to get across through our ‘This is not an excuse’ campaign.

“Our stance couldn’t be clearer and the students were right to challenge the incorrect message. “We’re sorry this has happened. I will personally ensure a correct session is delivered to the students involved and have already arranged for the leaflets handed out, which are nearly 10 years out of date, to be destroyed.”