NYPD unveils new campaign to encourage reporting of sexual assault

The NYPD announced on Friday, April 6 the launch of a new campaign aimed at encouraging survivors of sex crime to report incidents to the police.

Authorities hope that the campaign, dubbed “The Call Is Yours,” will lead to better reporting of sex crimes and ultimately, greater justice for victims, citing a nationwide 2016 Department of Justice study that found that over 70 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the police.

“For four years we have encourage survivors of sexual assaults to reach out to us. This campaign is our latest step in that effort and will reach millions of New Yorkers with that message,” said Police Commissioner James O’Neill. “We will investigate every single report.”

“The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault supports the New York City Police Department’s efforts to reach survivors impacted by sexual violence through this outreach campaign,” said Mary Haviland, executive director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. “Every survivor of sexual violence in New York City deserves law enforcement assistance that offers options for justice, options for safety and connects survivors to the network of services available to them.  The campaign sends a strong message that the NYPD is ready and willing to assist. Know that there is a community of service providers that stands with them, committed to reducing the harm of sexual violence and striving to prevent it in the future.”

The campaign will appear this spring on television, in taxi cabs, subways and more.

Anyone who is a sexual assault survivor is encouraged to call 911 or the NYPD Special Victims Division’s 24-hour hotline at 212-267-Rape (7273).

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