Police have apologised for a tweet ‘victim blaming’ rape survivors It’s not the first time – police have previously distributed leaflets saying “R U Asking 4 It?”

Merseyside police and Liverpool council have apologised for a tweet telling others to “step in” when women are drunk and vulnerable to assault on nights out.

People on social media since accused them of “victim blaming” on Friday.

Organisers deleted the tweets, which also included a video. The tweet said: “She told her mates she’d had enough. The bar staff knew he shouldn’t have served her that last shot. Her mates should have gone outside with her. Shouldn’t have left her alone in that state. Know when to step in.”

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The police and council shared a joint statement saying: “It was not our intention to blame anyone who has been subject to sexual assault, rape or any other crime.”

The “only person ever responsible” is the rapist, the statement continued.

“We apologise for not making that clear in our posts on social media.”

Bad campaigns

Back in 2015, a similar incident occurred when Sussex police launched a campaign to tackle sexual assault but were condemned for “victim blaming”, Business Insider reported. Their adverts showcased two smiling women on a night out and asked: “Which one of your mates is most vulnerable on a night out?” It concluded: “The one you leave behind.”

The advice continued: “Many sexual assaults could be prevented. Stick together and don’t let your friend leave with a stranger or go off on their own.”

Sarah Green from the End Violence Against Women Coalition, was one of many who criticised it and said: “We need to get beyond police campaigns giving instructions to women on how to behave to be safe. We need to talk to those who may perpetrate rape and deter them.”

In 2016, Avon and Somerset police distributed guides on “student safety” while hosting a student safety event at a school in North Bristol, The Independent reported. The message on the front was: “R U Asking 4 It?”

The leaflet was marketed as “your essential guide to student safety” and advice on muggings, as well as rape and sexual assault.

Students shared their anger online:

@ASPolice absolutely appalling, the whole point of rape is that you're not asking for it. How dare you. pic.twitter.com/SadAFhToGy — Bernie O'Hara (@berniekohara) July 5, 2016

Apologies were made in the form of a statement on their website which reportedly said: “The out-of-date leaflets contained information about vehicle crime and robberies in relation to student safety and have now been destroyed…We would like to reiterate our apology and will be re-delivering the workshop.”

Last year, Northern Irish police made people angry over a tweet warning women about the dangers of “overindulging” alongside the message “without consent it is rape”, Belfast Telegraph reported.

It said: “If you’re going out this weekend put your safety first. Don’t overindulge, stay with your friends and get home safely. #StaySafe”

this is awful. Put up a man in handcuffs instead. Victim blaming at it's worst. — Linda Ní hEdeáin ???????? (@LindaOkaythen) March 16, 2017

The posts sparked a massive reaction on social media, with the PSNI again being accused of “victim blaming”.

In the same year, four Bedfordshirepolice officers were dismissed for gross misconduct after being caught making fun of an alleged rape victim.

The officers—Robin Denton, Matthew Neild, Todd Mills, and Deanna Waite—accidentally called the alleged rape victim while reading out loud from her statement while laughing. The woman reportedly heard the officers making comments like “‘if she really don’t want it she would leave” and “if I was getting raped I wouldn’t have stuck his d*** in my mouth half-heartedly.”