Organisation: Fawcett Society
Date: 15 April 2008

Today, leading women’s rights organisation the Fawcett Society (1) met with Jacqui Smith and published an open letter in The Times calling on the government to take tougher action on rape.

Fawcett asked the Home Secretary to address the prevalence of sexual violence by launching a public campaign to challenge myths and stereotypes about rape.

The open letter to Jacqui Smith has been signed by leading MPs, peers and academics, as well as over 2,300 members of the public (2). It demands that the government take immediate steps to ensure that victims of rape have access to practical support and a thorough police investigation of their case.

Dr Katherine Rake, Director of the Fawcett Society, said:

‘The depth and breadth of support collected for this letter, from politicians across the political spectrum, and ordinary women and men, demonstrates a critical mass of feeling that the government needs to rethink its approach to rape.

‘The government needs a new strategy which is woman centred, which ensures victims can access support, and which challenges the myths and stereotypes which enable sexual violence to proliferate.

‘The government has led the way with attitude changing campaigns on drink driving and smoking. The time has come for a government campaign which addresses the prevalence of sexual violence by challenging myths about rape.’

For more information or to request interviews, contact Sarah Campbell at Fawcett on 020 7253 2598 or 0783 755 0643 or sarah.campbell@fawcettsociety.org.uk

(1) The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading campaign for women’s rights www.fawcettsociety.org.uk

(2) The letter was signed by Nick Clegg, Clare Short, Baroness Gould, Baroness Corston, Dr Nicole Westmarland, Professor Joanna Bourke, and Fay Mansell (Chair of the Women's Institute)