The Department of Justice launched its ‘Rape Myths = Real Harm’ campaign on 10th September 2026, challenging harmful misconceptions about rape and sexual assault and highlighting the real impact these myths can have on people who have experienced sexual violence.
Nexus is proud to support the campaign, with our video going live on 22nd September.
Our campaign video challenges the myth that ‘If you are married or in a relationship, sex is expected.’
Being in a relationship, no matter how serious or long-standing, does not mean that consent is automatically given. Consent must be freely given every time, and being in a relationship does not remove anyone’s right to say no.
Joanne Barnes, CEO of Nexus, said:
Myths about sexual violence can cause real harm to survivors – making them doubt their own experiences or feel afraid to come forward. At Nexus NI, we see this every day in our work supporting individuals with lived experience. This campaign is an important step in challenging those myths and helping people understand what consent really means. We’re proud to support this second phase which seeks to ensure a better understanding of sexual offences across our society.
We all have a role to play in challenging rape myths and creating a culture where people understand that sexual violence is never the fault of the person who experiences it.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, support is available through Nexus.
Find out more about the campaign: Long: Rape myths cause real harm | Department of Justice.
