Stern advocates education on sexual offences

The report by Baroness Stern, which reviewed how rape complaints are handled by public authorities in England and Wales, recommended that the "basic elements" of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are given more publicity and that easily understandable information about the act is made available to young people and "those who work with young people who are able to disseminate it widely".

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that rape takes place when a person does not consent to penetration and the perpetrator "does not reasonably believe that the other person consents".

The Stern report said: "The 2003 Act makes some matters very clear and it is important they should be widely understood. It says that one person having sex with another when that person has not agreed to it is rape. Violence is not part of the definition. The absence of consent is the defining factor."

It added: "The inclusion of ‘reasonable belief' is considered by some to be one of the most significant changes brought in by the 2003 legislation, where an honest but unreasonable belief in consent can no longer result in the accused's acquittal."

The report also stated that rape and sexual assault education and awareness-raising campaigns for young people should be developed with "careful consideration" given to their design to ensure they are imaginative and effectively targeted. It highlighted the use of laminated cards and a "dispelling myths" booklet by the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Whitechapel, London — as well as Hampshire police's use of an interactive role-playing game— as good practice.

Alan Coomb, policy adviser at the NSPCC, said: "The 2003 Act spells out very clearly that having sex without consent is rape. And the best way to get this message across to young people is to make sure everyone who works and supports them understands this.

"There is obviously a need for the message to be widely disseminated as a recent survey carried out by the NSPCC and University of Bristol revealed a third of teenage girls in relationships had suffered unwanted sex acts and one in six said they had been raped.

"Young people should learn to respect each other and this is where parents and schools can help by teaching them about loving and safe relationships. But if young people become involved in a violent or abusive relationship they should seek help immediately by talking to an adult they trust or by calling ChildLine on 0800 111."