Police launch #showsomerespect

Friday 26 November 2021

Guernsey Police are rolling out a campaign against sexual assault and violence. It is targeted mainly at the night-time economy.

Officers have worked with owners and landlords of pubs and clubs to understand better and rally support behind efforts to combat this unacceptable or illegal behaviour.

Beer mats and posters are being distributed across the island with a key message: #showsomerespect

“This issue is an extremely important one, and that has only been made clearer by tragic events nationally in the last year,” said Deputy Chief Officer Ian Scholes.

“There is a need for people’s attitudes to change. Some people will argue their behaviour is harmless or was the norm ‘back in the day’, but the reality is that it wasn’t okay then, and it isn’t okay now.

“The campaign’s aims are twofold: we want it to continue the conversation that really sparked following the tragic death of Sarah Everard in March, and we want to raise awareness about how Guernsey Police is here to help.

"By that, I mean that we are not just here to help get the complaints of a victim in front of a judge. We are also here to help you, support you, and protect you, and we want you to feel empowered to speak out.”

We have been fortunate to develop this campaign in collaboration with members of the public and third-sector representatives who initially engaged with Officers at the Community Advisory Group, which took place in September and focused on Violence against Women and Girls. 3/X pic.twitter.com/HNzO8FKSQw

— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) November 26, 2021

Pictured: The initiative was officially launched by Guernsey Police this morning.

Police have also worked with third sector groups to generate ideas to promote their message to the community. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those members of the public we have been working with for their contributions,” said Mr Scholes. “I would also like to thank the business owners and landlords for their positivity in engaging with us on this issue.

“The final thing I’d like to add is that we know that anyone can be the victim of violence or inappropriate behaviour, regardless of age or gender. Women are victim to these behaviours much more regularly and this campaign puts the emphasis on them for that reason, but we are here to support anyone who is a victim of such behaviour.” 

The #showsomerespect campaign comes as the States' Committee for Home Affairs announces plans to accelerate the setting up of a sexual assault referral centre in the island.

It also coincides with 16 days of activism against gender-based violence by UN Women, the United Nations' agency dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.