Merseyside Police launch new campaign to tackle myths around rape and sexual assault

Merseyside Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell are ripping apart the dangerous myths about rape and serious sexual offences with a bold new campaign.

Launching today, the ‘Myth vs Fact’ campaign tears down the lies that shield perpetrators and silence victims – and replaces them with the truth.

Shaped by conversations with victim-survivors and specialist support services, the hard-hitting campaign aims to tackle harmful misconceptions and challenge the attitudes that are used to excuse sexual violence, with a particular focus on engaging men as allies in prevention.

The experiences and insights from victim-survivors were crucial in identifying the most damaging myths and exposing the reality of sexual violence.  Importantly, the campaign highlights that most sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, not strangers.

By amplifying survivor voices, the campaign artwork is designed to visually ‘rip apart’ harmful myths to reveal the facts beneath – a powerful metaphor for dismantling stigma and exposing the truth.

Key myths we’re busting:

• Myth: Victims provoke attacks by drinking or dressing a certain way.
  Fact: Rape is never the victim’s fault. Consent must be freely given every time.
• Myth: If someone didn’t fight back, it wasn’t rape.
  Fact: Many victims experience a “freeze” response during trauma, making resistance impossible.
• Myth: False rape allegations are common.
  Fact: They are extremely rare, most victims never report at all.
• Myth: It’s not rape if it’s your partner.
  Fact: Rape is rape, regardless of relationship status.

Marking UN Elimination of VAWG Day, today’s launch will see Merseyside Police’s T/Chief Superintendent Helen Bennett, the PCC and representatives from RASA and RASASC take this message to the streets of Liverpool.

A digital advan will bring the artwork to the life, alongside giant placards and interactive scratchcards setting out the facts about sexual violence.

This will be supported by a community stalled event with support services and a mobile police station so anyone affected by the campaign or who wants to find out more can access advice and information or make a report.

Myth vs Fact is the third phase of the police and Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Taking Action campaign, which first launched in September 2024. 

It underpins the relentless and proactive work being undertaken by Merseyside Police, the PCC and their partners to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, bring perpetrators to justice and to support anyone impacted by any form of violence against them / rape and serious sexual offences. Today’s launch also marks the third anniversary since the launch of the PCC-led ‘Working in Partnership to tackle VAWG Delivery Plan which sets out 57 clear, achievable actions designed to make our region safer.

T/Chief Superintendent Helen Bennett, Head of Prevention said:

“Rape and sexual violence rarely involve strangers. They often occur within relationships or among people the victim knows. Survivors have told us how damaging myths and stereotypes make reporting harder and deepen trauma. This campaign tackles those myths and reinforces a clear message: sexual violence is never the victim’s fault.

“Prevention starts with changing attitudes and behaviours. We’re calling on men to take an active role in ending sexual violence by challenging harmful attitudes and helping build a community where respect and safety come first.”

T/Chief Superintendent Bennett added:

“Merseyside Police is committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation by Specially Trained Officers and Sexual Violence Advocates who will provide all the relevant support.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:

“Today’s launch is about ripping apart the myths and lies that are used to excuse sexual violence.

“There is never any justification for rape or sexual assault, and every myth we tear down is one less barrier for survivors and one more step towards justice.

“This campaign was built on their voices, their experiences, and their truths.

“We’re exposing the facts and standing shoulder to shoulder with those who have been silenced for too long, because these lies don’t just distort reality – they destroy lives.”

“If you would like to report a sexual offence, are concerned for the safety of someone you know then please come forward and speak to us. We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your report and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”

Lorraine Wood, Executive Director, RASA Merseyside said:

“At RASA Merseyside, we welcome this bold and necessary campaign. Every day, we see the devastating impact that harmful myths and victim-blaming attitudes have on survivors of sexual violence. These misconceptions silence victims, protect perpetrators, and create barriers to reporting and healing.

“By confronting these myths head-on and amplifying the voices of survivors, this campaign sends a powerful and unequivocal message: the responsibility for rape and sexual violence always lies with the perpetrator and never the victim.

“We are proud to stand alongside Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner in challenging these narratives and working together to create a community where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered, and where sexual violence is never excused or minimised.

“This campaign is an important step in dismantling stigma, educating our communities, and driving the cultural change needed to prevent sexual violence. We urge everyone across Merseyside, especially men and boys to engage with the facts, challenge harmful attitudes, and be part of the solution.”

Rhian Swindell, ISVA Manager, RASASC Cheshire and Merseyside said:

“At RASASC, we welcome this important campaign. Every day, we see the devastating impact that harmful myths and victim-blaming attitudes have on survivors of rape and sexual violence. These misconceptions silence victims, protect perpetrators, and creates further barriers to safety and recovery. 

“Sexual violence must never be excused, ignored, or minimised. 

“By directly challenging these myths and elevating the voices of those with lived experience, this campaign delivers a clear and vital message: responsibility for rape and sexual violence lies solely with the perpetrator—never with the victim.

“We are committed to working in partnership with Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to challenge outdated attitudes and work together in creating an environment where survivors feel believed, supported, empowered and safe.

“This campaign is a crucial step towards ending the shame and misinformation that too often silence survivors. Preventing sexual violence requires cultural change, and that starts with each of us. We encourage everyone in Merseyside, especially men and boys, to challenge harmful behaviours and attitudes and play an active role in creating a safer, more informed community.”

Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, you can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services.

These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.

If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation and court processes.

You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police.

With no police involvement, a specialist doctor at Safe Place can examine you to check that you are ok and look for DNA evidence, which they will store to support your case. This gives you the option of making a formal police report at a later time, if you choose to.

Support is also available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 0330 363 0063 support@rapecentre.org.uk, Knowsley: 0151 218 7960, St. Helens: 01744 877987

If you do not require immediate police assistance then you can report rape and sexual assault via our website here.

Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service here.

Visit the Merseyside Police website here.

Find out about the other great work Merseyside Police are doing across the region here.

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