A HARD-hitting campaign has been launched to remind people of the dangers of rape.Suffolk police this week unveiled a series of important messages to men and women as part of a radio and poster campaign.

A HARD-hitting campaign has been launched to remind people of the dangers of rape.

Suffolk police this week unveiled a series of important messages to men and women as part of a radio and poster campaign.

The campaign, which reminds women of the dangers and warns men of the consequences, links with National Rape Awareness Week that concludes today.

Posters - which contain messages such as 'Rape: short word, long sentence' and 'Let your hair down, not your guard' - have been put up on First buses and will be distributed in locations across Suffolk, including some licensed premises and town centre areas.

With latest figures released this week showing alcohol is a contributing factor in two-thirds of rapes reported in the county, officers are keen to highlight the issue of rape in relation to consumption of alcohol.

Det Chief Insp Neil Luckett said: 'Suffolk is a safe place to live, but we would just like to remind people to take care whilst they are out enjoying themselves and that men should not take advantage of women who may be vulnerable through alcohol consumption.

'People in Suffolk are urged to remember this as rape is an extremely serious offence that can ruin the lives of victims and results in a long custodial sentence for the offender.'

A multi-agency initiative involving a number of partners, including the primary care trusts, police, CPS and voluntary sector under the Safer Suffolk Partnership Board, is hoping to open a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in 2010 to encourage more victims to come forward to seek help and advice.

The centre, which has received Home Office funding, will be a dedicated, one-stop location, where victims of rape - both men and women - and serious sexual assault can receive medical care and support without having to involve the police.