The amount of reported sex crimes has gone up 14% over the past two years, troubling new statistics reveal.

According to Edmonton police statistics, there were 645 sexual assaults reported in 2009, compared to 700 reported in 2011.

The statistics for 2010 weren't readily available, but the 14% spike over the past two years was troubling to the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton's .

"It's very concerning," she said.

"That's why a little over a year ago we came out with the Ôdon't be that guy campaign,' because we've all realized that giving women all these tips about how to protect themselves mean absolutely nothing."

Rather than putting the onus on women to protect themselves, Smith said the entire city needs to start working to bring an end to such assaults.

"We need to change the way we as a community look at this, and the blame is not on the victim," she said Thursday.

"The blame is on the perpetrator."

That's why SACE came up with its powerful "Don't Be That Guy," campaign, which discourages men from taking advantage of women who have been drinking.

Vancouver has picked up the campaign, too, and has seen its number of sexual assaults go down.

Unfortunately, Edmonton is not seeing the same results, but Smith hopes that changes with time.

She said the centre will continue to relaunch the campaign around times where young people are more likely to party, such as Christmastime, or the end of the school year.

"There are so many sexual assaults where young men and young women contain so many intoxicating substances that it's resulting in these sexual assaults," Smith said.

"I don't want to sound like I'm an old fuddy duddy and I don't like having a good time and I don't remember what it's like to be young, because all of those things are not true," she added.

"But when people are getting hurt, and hurt to a way they have life altering consequences, I become very concerned."

In more than 51% of the cases EPS has dealt with, alcohol or drugs were involved, Smith said.

There's nothing to indicate why the statistics may have climbed over the past few years.

"It's mind boggling, I don't know why," Smith said.

"I don't even want to hazard a guess."

Michelle.thompson@sunmedia.ca