A campaign to tackle rape and sexual violence myths and offer support and information has been launched by Gloucestershire Constabulary.

Its message is clear - 'the only person ever responsible for rape is the rapist'.

According to the force sexual crime is under reported and it wants to raise awareness of the options available to victims, how they can get medical and emotional support and what friends or family can do if someone comes to them for help.

Gloucestershire Constabulary's dedicated Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team "would always encourage a victim of a rape or sexual assault to contact police at the earliest opportunity, however that is not the victim's only option", said a statement a police statement.

Detective Inspector Claire Nutland said: "Our team understands that not everyone would initially want to speak to police, but we need people to know that there is support out there and no-one should suffer alone in silence.

"Please talk to someone. Gloucestershire's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can be contacted 24 hours a day by calling 0300 421 8400 and they can support you and discuss available options without police involvement.

"If there are forensic opportunities this evidence can be captured by the SARC. This means at a later stage this evidence could be given to police and could strengthen a criminal case should you choose to pursue one.

"We would always encourage anyone who has been a victim of either recent or non-recent rape or sexual assault to come forward and contact police. Our dedicated team and specially trained officers are available to support you throughout and we will endeavour to fully investigate the crime committed and get justice."

Emma Twydell, manager at Hope House SARC, said: "We offer medical care, emotional support, and practical help to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted.

"This means we will help and support you regardless of your gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

"As well as working with the police to help victims who report what has happened to them, we also see people who 'self-refer' because they either don't want to report what has happened to the police or are not yet ready to do so.

"We believe that this is a really important part of the service as it is estimated that 83 per cent of rape and sexual assault victims don't come forward and report the crime for various reasons.

"Depending on what has happened you may also be offered a forensic medical examination, and if you are self-referring we can even store forensic evidence for up to two years to give you time to decide what to do.

"We have a 24/7 confidential phone line for advice which is 0300 421 8400. Our message is really clear, we are here to help, so please call us. We will listen, and we will believe you."

As part of the campaign, the force has also used social media to encourage discussions about rape myths.

Anybody could be on a jury and these myths can form an obstacle to obtaining convictions.

These discussions on social media have gained thousands of interactions from members of the public.

Some of these myths are that it is often strangers who commit rape and sexual violence, men don't get raped and that "they weren't telling me to stop" means the person has consented.

However in reality the majority of sexual violence is committed by persons known to the victim, men are victims and a common reaction to rape is to freeze (tonic immobility).

In the next stage of the campaign Gloucestershire Constabulary will be publicising on their social media accounts what to do if you are raped or sexually assaulted.

This will cover how to preserve forensic evidence such as a person not washing or brushing their teeth and collecting a urine sample.

This allows evidence to be captured in case the victim wishes to report to police at a later time. Advice will also be given for how you could help someone else if they come to you for support.

A downloadable PDF booklet has been created which offers this advice, to download it visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/campaigns/rape-and-sexual-violence/advice-booklet/

These booklets are also available on Gloucestershire Constabulary's engagement vehicles which tour the county offering advice.

On Thursday 13 December police will be at Gloucestershire College at the Quays from 10am until 2pm with a member of our RASSO team raising awareness of this campaign.

There is a wealth of information and advice on Gloucestershire Constabulary's website along with that of partner agencies who can also offer support. Please visit: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/campaigns/rape-and-sexual-violence/