Police issue sexual consent warning before party season

Police are issuing a sexual consent warning to combat assault before the party season begins.

They've teamed up with university student groups, hospitality venues and the Sexual Assault Prevention Network to educate partygoers on the impact alcohol has on decision-making and consent.

It's part of the 'Don't Guess the Yes' awareness campaign, which is running for its third year.

"We need to prevent adult sexual assault offending and victimisation by encouraging people to change their attitude around sexual consent and alcohol consumption," says Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ben Quinn.

"This initiative sends a clear message that sexual assault and abuse won't be tolerated."

The campaign is being shared through social media and posters will be put up in bars throughout Wellington.

"Those who are drinking are in a more vulnerable position and should not be taken advantage of," Det Snr Sgt Quinn says.

"We need to respect each other and remember that intoxicated person could quite easily be your sister, brother, friend or loved one."

Police issue sexual consent warning before party season
Photo credit: NZ Police / Supplied

According to a government report issued earlier this month, there were 23,739 cases of reported sexual violence victimisations between July 2014 and June 2018.

However, for every 100 sexual violence incidents reported to police, just six people were imprisoned.

The Government announced $320 million over four years in Budget 2019 to fight family and sexual violence, $32.8 million of which is to improve the justice system's response to sexual violence victims. 

The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey estimated in 2018 that approximately 87,000 adults were the victim of around 193,000 incidents of sexual violence.