About

The #NotGuilty campaign against sexual violence and assault was set up in April 2015 by Ione Wells in accompaniment to her letter to her assaulter, which can be read by clicking here.

The campaign focuses on several keys issue, including:

  • Reducing victim-blaming (the idea that a victim’s actions, body, or choices are to blame for assault)
  • Promoting education of consent from an early age
  • Giving victims a voice and a platform to speak out and get help – anonymity doesn’t have to equal silencing
  • Enforcing a sense of the solidarity of community to make victims feel that they are not alone and to encourage community action in reducing assault
  • Raising awareness of the devastating impact that rape and sexual assault can have upon victims
  • Raising awareness that any non-consensual sexual action, or act of violence, is always wrong
  • Generating positivity and strength in survivors of sexual assault

The campaign aims to reach those of all genders, ages, nationalities and sexualities. It is an all-inclusive, apolitical campaign for everybody, world-wide. If you would like to submit your story or contact us, there are forms on our page to do so. We welcome personal experiences, creative writing, positive thinking, or any initiatives, ideas or thoughts that you may have for the campaign and wish to share, as well as questions for us directly. All contributors can choose to remain anonymous or be named at will.

The campaign is planning events including educative programmes, talks and panels, workshops and creative initiatives so watch our events page for details and please contact us with any other ideas you have for events that you would like us to be part of. Sign up to the campaign for email updates about upcoming events – we promise that we have a zero-spam policy!

Want to bring #NotGuilty to your school, workplace, or university? Get in touch on our contact page!

To seek urgent help regarding a case of sexual assault, please see the following helplines:

Emergency: 999 – Report all incidents of rape, violence or sexual assault to the police, or dial 101 to report suspicious behaviour in a non-emergency situation

NHS: 111 – The NHS out-of-hours helpline for health advice and referral to a medical professional

Domestic Violence: 0808 2000 247 – Free 24-hr helpline for Domestic Violence

Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 802 9999 – a confidential helpline open 12 – 2.30pm & 7 – 9.30pm

Oxford Nightline: 01865 270 270 – Open 8pm-8am, 0th week to 9th week during Oxford term time

Oxford Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre: 01865 726 295 or freephone 0800 783 6294 & 24 Hour answerphone: 01865 726 295

NSPCC: 0800 1111 – children’s number & 0808 800 5000 – for adults concerned about a child

MIND: 0300 123 3393 – One of the UK’s leading mental health charities, who can provide support to those suffering from mental health difficulties as a result of sexual assault, or otherwise

For more help please find your local Sexual Assault Referral Clinic , visit your GP or A&E, or your nearest GUM sexual health clinic, or find your nearest Independent Sexual Violence Advisors here.

Further Reading