Campaign to focus on rape awareness

POLICE officers are to visit licensed premises to hand out postcards to revellers reminding them about changes in the laws regarding rape.

Officers will talk to those enjoying seasonal nights out today and tomorrow, and distribute postcards featuring the slogan, "Drinking is not a crime. Rape is".

The campaign, created in conjunction with Rape Crisis Scotland, marks the launch of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act, which came into force on December 1.

The act defined for the first time a list of circumstances under which "free agreement" to sex was not given, including when the victim is incapable through the effects of alcohol.

The majority of rapes on females reported to police are committed by men known to the victim, including people they know socially, or have met shortly before the assault.

Sandy Brindley, from Rape Crisis Scotland, said: "It is crucial that people have confidence that they can approach the police to report a rape or sexual assault without worrying about not being taken seriously because they had been drinking."