The “Have Your Say: Bust The Myths” survey, which will run for 10 weeks, is being undertaken by the Gillen education and awareness working group, which was set up to implement the recommendations of Sir John Gillen’s review of the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland.

The preamble to the survey states: “A key objective of the group is to develop communications to raise awareness and to challenge some of the false myths surrounding serious sexual offences.

“These myths, often referred to as ‘rape myths’, are false beliefs, biased expectations and misconceptions around the realities of rape and sexual assault.

“Rape myths can sometimes serve to excuse sexual violence, justify rape, create hostility towards victims and can even lead to bias in criminal prosecutions.

“The purpose of this survey is to ask you to tell us which myths you think are most prevalent in our society and therefore which ones should be prioritised for challenge.”

The working group will use the information collected to develop a communications campaign to raise awareness and to challenge some of the false myths surrounding serious sexual offences.

The survey will run until 15 November 2021.