Rape victims' fury as police re-write Twas The Night Before Christmas as a poem about sex attacks

A police force has been condemned for its re-writing of a famous children's Christmas poem which makes it sound as if rape happens 'in a flash'.

Critics accused Nottinghamshire Police's version of Twas The Night Before Christmas of trivialising the horror of sex attacks.

The force has been urged to take its poem - The Nightmare Before Christmas - from its website

                  

Nottinghamshire Police has refused to withdraw the poem but have apologised if it has caused offence.

A senior officer said the aim of the poem was to make would-be offenders more aware of the catastrophic harm sex attacks have on women.

The poem appears on the force's website but there are no plans to display the posters in other public places.

Kathy Saunders, project manager for Midlands Women's Aid, said: 'I'm quite appalled that the authorities thought this would have the desired effect on perpetrators.

'I personally think this should be withdrawn and replaced with something which has more impact and more advice for women on how to keep themselves safe, but equally to give out a really strong message to perpetrators that rape is rape and it will not be tolerated and that "no" means "no".'

The force said it has consulted two un-named women's groups and its own specialist officers who deal with rape victims before launching the poster.

                         

Superintendent Helen Chamberlain, head of public protection, said: 'Issuing safety messages for people who are out enjoying Christmas festivities is a valuable way of helping to protect, in the main women and girls from sexual attacks.

'However, sometimes, constantly reiterating these messages can make women feel that they are at fault if they are attacked because they didn't look after themselves enough.

'We want women to know that if they are raped or sexually assaulted, they are not to blame.

'Our message to men is that it's not acceptable to take advantage of a woman because she has had a drink or is being sociable. And women shouldn't have to tolerate or be forced to guard themselves from predatory behaviour.

'One particular sentence in the poem, "It happened in a flash", really doesn't depict a rape experience for a victim'

- Spokesman for Sexual Abuse Survivors

'If a woman has had something to drink or is talking to you, sharing a lift with you, it doesn't necessarily mean she is consenting to any sexual contact.'

Supt Chamberlain admitted that the poem had 'caused a stir' but denied it had been a mistake.

Critics single out one of the poem's verses for failing to portray the full horror of rape. The verse reads 'Although she screamed no it happened in a flash/ As soon as she could free herself she made a desperate dash'.

Critics say the verse implies that rape happens in a fleeting moment when the majority of rape victims report that their ordeal seemed to last forever.

A spokeswoman for the group Sexual Abuse Survivors said: 'One particular sentence in the poem, "It happened in a flash", really doesn't depict a rape experience for a victim.

'That experience can feel like it goes on forever and even after the attack it will stay with that person for a very long time almost like a recording in their mind that goes over and over again.'

Nottinghamshire Police has said the poem was the work of several force members and not an individual.

Gloria de Piero, MP for Ashfield, Nottingham, and the Shadow Minister for Women, said: 'The most important point to emphasise about any police campaign is to make it clear that the victim is never to blame. Quite simply there is never an excuse for rape.'

It is the second time this week Nottinghamshire Police's reworking of a classic celebration of Christmas has landed the force in hot water.

On Monday the force had to re-name an anti-crime poster campaign called Badvent after critics deemed it to be in poor taste.