IN an horrific attack last week, a schoolgirl was raped as she walked along a cycle path in Stockton, early in the morning.

I can’t begin to imagine how this 15-year-old girl is feeling. I’m sure her family, and the officers at Cleveland Police who work tirelessly in the service of the public, are doing everything they can to support her.

The police put out an appeal soon after the attack with a clear description of the person responsible.

But the wording of part of the appeal jarred with some.

In a warning which, I know, was well-intentioned, in the spirit of public guardianship, the police said: “As a precautionary measure young girls should walk in pairs in secluded areas and should always be aware of their surroundings.”

Rape and sexual violence charities have been campaigning about this issue for years. It’s a short jump from this statement to “young girls should ensure they don’t drink alcohol in case someone rapes them”.

Police in other force areas have issued exactly this warning before, to the outrage of victims and the charities which help them.

A vulnerable rape victim, whatever her age, already full of self-doubt and recrimination, may blame herself even more if they believe they shouldn’t have had that extra drink, shouldn’t have worn that short skirt, or shouldn’t have walked home alone.

A more apt warning would be: “Men should not rape women or girls. Ever. Even if they are walking along a poorly-lit path alone. Even if they are drunk. Even if they initially said yes and then changed their mind in the midst of it all. Just don’t rape them. Full stop.”

If you think I’m being over the top, just stop to think. If a man or boy had been raped, would the police have said: “Men and boys should ensure they walk in pairs in secluded areas”? I find it highly unlikely.

A reporter at The Northern Echo approached several women and girls’ charities for their views on the matter. She then asked Cleveland Police for a comment. They weren’t happy.

She waited nearly a week for a statement from the police, to run a balanced story.

Then our reporter discovered Cleveland Police had contacted the charities themselves, in the interim. Thankfully, the charities still decided to speak out on the matter.

This is a serious issue which needs highlighting.

If the organisations that help victims of rape and sexual assault don’t like some of the ways the police word their warnings, and the police can’t see anything wrong with it, then surely it is a discussion that needs to happen?

I understand Cleveland Police has faced a lot of criticism in recent years and is trying to move beyond that, but attempting to shut down a legitimate debate by querying the honestly-held views of organisations which help women and girls is not in anyone’s interest, least of all theirs.