Cops forced to apologise after handing out shockingly inappropriate sex attack leaflets
Teachers had to stop the talk called "Only Yes Means Yes" as pupils became upset
POLICE have been forced to apologise after pupils were left in tears and teachers had to step in during a talk about sexual consent.
The officers handed out leaflets to the sixth form students titled "R U ASKING 4 IT?"
Pupils became outraged during the talk and accused Avon and Somerset police officers of "victim blaming".
The force has since apologised for the brochure, and admitted it is "nearly ten years out of date".
Kizzie Tims, 16, was at the talk at North Bristol Post 16 Centre with 50 others.
She said: "The leaflet was about personal safety - robberies and muggings - but was not appropriate when taking about rape.
"It was not the most professional talk and at this age we are very sensitive about these sorts of issues.
"A lot of people began shouting and others got teary about it."
The brochure was given out at a police event called "Only Yes Means Yes" last week, and is thought to have been printed in 2008 after a string of attacks in an area of Bristol.
A 17-year-old boy at the event thought the leaflets were a "joke". He added: "I personally could not believe my eyes when I received my leaflet, thinking it was somehow an ironic joke?
"I was assured that it was in fact very real, much to my disgust.
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"Victim blaming arose rather quickly from the police, telling girls that they shouldn't drink on nights out and suggesting that it was more the victim's job to prevent the attack from happening.
"The talk was full of intelligent strong minded 17-year-olds who quickly raised concerns about this take."
Chloe Yelland tweeted: "As Police I'm ashamed that you have the audacity to 'Victim Blame' teenage girls with low cut tops..."
Eloise Mainstone added: "We should be teaching people not to rape, not teaching us how to avoid it!!"
Police have since apologised for the talk and giving out the old leaflets.
Chief Inspector Marie Wright, force lead for rape and sexual assault, said: "Any suggestion that a victim of rape or sexual assault can ever, in any way, be to blame is totally unacceptable and is the exact opposite of the message we've worked so hard to get across through our 'This is not an excuse' campaign.
"Our stance couldn't be clearer and the students were right to challenge the incorrect message.
"We're sorry this has happened. I will personally ensure a correct session is delivered to the students involved and have already arranged for the leaflets handed out, which are nearly ten years out of date, to be destroyed."
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