Police Scotland have launched a campaign to tackle date rape after figures revealed more than 160 attacks that were reported happened after a first or second date.

The figure was contained in a report that said 2,293 people had reported being raped in 2018/19. In 35 per cent of these the attacker was a partner or former partner.

In nearly 11 per cent of the remaining incidents (more than 160) the victims were in the very early stages of dating.

Many of the victims were women between 18 and 25, but men and non-binary people also reported being raped.

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Most had their first meeting with their attackers online, through dating apps or on social media.

Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald, Major Crime and Public Protection, Police Scotland said: “More than 160 people reported being raped on a first or second date last year - a shocking statistic - and even more so when you consider that this number is likely to be significantly under reported.

“No one should go on a date expecting or feeling entitled to sex, just as no one goes on a date expecting to be raped. Nor should anyone feel bullied, coerced or shamed into having sex because their date expects it or believes they’re entitled to it because they paid for drinks or dinner.”

The campaign is targeted at men between 18 and 35, who are seen to be the most at risk of offending, and will run for six weeks on social media, telephone kiosks and pub and club bathrooms.

Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley said: “It is without a doubt there is an urgent need to have conversations about consent.

“We need to get a really clear message across to people that any sex without consent is rape and has very serious consequences.”

Last year, figures from the Scottish Government showed there was a 22% increase in reports of rape reported to the police - a 99% increase since 2010.

Ms Brindley said: “What we know is that the levels of reported rape have increased hugely in the past ten years. Some of that is likely to be increased confidence [in the police] but we can’t rule out that more rapes are taking place.

“There’s a real worry that young people are getting ideas about sex from pornography which is not based on mutuality or consent - it’s very much about conquering women’s resistance.”

Detective Superintendent Fil Capaldi, who heads up the National Rape Task Force and Human Trafficking Unit, said the campaign was directed primarily at potential offenders: “Ultimately it’s to challenge behaviour and to challenge perceptions regarding a sense of entitlement. We know these crimes are vastly under-reported and that 160 people is probably the tip of the iceberg. We want to get the message across loud and clear that lack of consent is rape and men need to understand that.”

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Rape Crisis Scotland have seen a rise in people using their services who have been targeted through online dating.

Ms Brindley said: “We are definitely seeing an issue with online dating apps and we still have women who phone and say they’re not sure if it was rape because of the circumstances.

“There is still an enduring notion of rape being about a stranger involving physical violence.”

Professor Lesley McMillan, Professor of Criminology and Sociology at Glasgow Caledonian University said: “What’s good about this campaign is that it’s directed at young men in particular -Police Scotland have no agenda of victim blaming.

“Irrespective of how you meet somebody, you need to make sure that person is a willing participant in any sexual activity you engage in. Any campaign that is seeking to educate people is positive. It’s so important to be challenging attitudes all the time.”

Emma Ritch, Executive Director of Engender Scotland said: “Going on a date is not the same as consenting to sex, and this welcome campaign reinforces the message that sex without consent is rape. Nobody is entitled to sex, but these worrying statistics show that this is clearly not understood by all men in Scotland.

“We also welcome the focus of the campaign on potential perpetrators: only men can stop rape. No matter the manner of your meeting, or previous conversations, sex without consent is rape.”