Clegg set to launch teenage anti-rape campaign

Many young people dismiss the idea of “date-rape”, believing the offence only occurs on rare occasions, according to the Government.

The Deputy Prime Minister will announce push by the coalition to challenge the myths around attacks, including a TV, cinema and online advertising campaign.

Mr Clegg said: “This hard-hitting campaign shows that rape is not just about violent attacks by strangers.

“We want to bring this issue out into the open and get young people talking about the importance of consent.

“The campaign will give teenagers the facts and support they need to recognise abuse and form healthy relationships.”

A third of teenage girls and 16 per cent of boys report that they have experienced some form of sexual violence from a boyfriend or girlfriend and the highest proportion of sexual abuse, 66 per cent, is perpetrated by young people under 18 years old, according to NSPCC research.

The adverts are aimed at 13 to 18-year-olds and feature a teenage girl being coerced into sex by a boy as a party goes on downstairs.

The girl says ‘I don’t want to’, but the boy persists. A double of the boy then appears, watching from behind an invisible wall.

The viewer is asked “If you could see yourself, would you see rape?”

The adverts will run for a month on youth TV channels, starting tonight, during programmes such as E4’s Skins.

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: “This campaign aims to dispel the myths that can lead to acceptance of rape in relationships.”