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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is It Does Matter?

It Does Matter is a registered charity (CIO) working to raise awareness of non-contact sexual offences, improve reporting pathways and empower individuals and communities to recognise and respond to these behaviours.

 

Through education, behaviour change messaging and accessible reporting guidance, we support national efforts to address Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

 

We started as an educational awareness campaign created in memory of Libby Squire, who was raped and murdered whilst at university by a man with a history of non-contact sexual offences. Libby’s death highlights the real-world risks of minimising and normalising non-contact sexual offences.

 

Our focus is on collective action, encouraging young people to recognise that reporting matters. An easy to recall slogan "Speak Up, Stand Together, Stay Safe" forms the call to action and our website provides a direct route to where and how to report an offence as well as to sources of victim support.

Q. Why do non-contact sexual offences matter?

Non-contact sexual offences-such as voyeurism, indecent exposure, online harassment, catcalling, stalking and upskirting are serious crimes that are often minimised or normalised. Evidence shows these incidents are not reported because they are not thought of as “serious enough”, yet these behaviours can be early indicators of escalating offending.

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National data* reinforces the scale of the problem:

  • Nearly 621,000 cases of stalking and harassment were recorded in the year ending June 2024

  • Conviction rates for sexual offences (including non-contact) remain low at 7.3%

  • Public bodies lack consistent definitions of VAWG, making non-contact offences harder to track
     

Raising awareness improves understanding, supports prevention, and strengthens community capacity to keep people safe.

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*National Audit Office Tackling VAWG (Jan 2025)

Q. Who helped shape It Does Matter and its resources?

Thames Valley Police were the founding and commissioning police force for the It Does Matter Campaign, collaborating with Lisa Squire. TMC Strategic Communications, created the initial campaign brand and message.  Content was shaped and developed with input from a Project Advisory Team consisting of academics, safeguarding specialists, education professionals, and policing expertise. Students were also consulted to ensure the tone, visuals and content resonated with young people.

The educational resources created for use in schools for pupils aged 14+ years were written in partnership with the PSHE Association.

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Today, It Does Matter is led by our Trustees:

  • Lisa Squire, Chair of Trustees

  • Deputy Chief Constable, Katy Barrow-Grint Policing & National Strategy

  • Mel Reedman Communications & Public Engagement

  • Tim McCloud, CIM Chartered Marketer – Marketing & Creative Strategy

Q. How does It Does Matter support prevention and public safety?

We help to improve awareness and safety by:

  • Providing clear, accessible definitions of non-contact sexual offences

  • Encouraging victims and witnesses to report incidents promptly

  • Providing a trusted route to reporting and support services

  • Challenging attitudes and normalisation of these offences

  • Increasing reporting to improve police intelligence

  • Offering ready‑to‑use awareness materials for forces, local authorities and universities

Q. What has been achieved so far?

Since 2024, assets have been shared with:

  • 16 police forces

  • The Ministry of Defence

  • Three local authorities

  • Two charities

  • Launch media coverage to drive awareness included BBC Newsbeat, Sky News, GMB

  • Lisa Squire’s Rosebud podcast episode received 36,000+ downloads

  • High engagement at university Fresher events, reaching nearly 600 students

  • Digital advertising seen 150,000+ times

  • For the quarter immediately following the launch the Thames Valley region saw a 45% rise in reported voyeurism and a significant increase in reports of exposure.

Q. How can I report a non-contact sexual offence?

If you have witnessed, or experienced any non-contact sexual offence, you can report it by:

  • Contacting your local police force’s non-emergency channel calling 101 or, if you are on the Island of Jersey by calling (01534) 612 612

  • Report anonymously though Crimestoppers by dialling 0800 555 111

  • Using emergency services in urgent situation by calling 999

Q. How can I get involved?

Become a Partner

Join us as an educational institution, police force, local authority or community organisation to:

  • share our messaging across your networks

  • embed our resources into classrooms, community spaces and frontline settings

  • help ensure every young person understands what non‑contact sexual offences are — and why reporting them matters

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Amplify our call to action

Use our posters, films and digital assets within your organisation to spark conversations, raise awareness and shift attitudes.

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Social Value

Your organisation can directly contribute to CSR commitments and community impact goals by  sponsoring awareness moments and supporting campaign messaging during high‑impact periods such as Fresher’s Week, when thousands of young people are at their most vulnerable.

Q. Who is behind It Does Matter?

A. We are governed by a board of trustees who oversee our charitable purpose and ensure we operate in the public interest. Our trustees are:

  • Lisa Squire, Chair of Trustees.

  • Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint, Policing & National Strategy.

  • Mel Reedman, Communications & Public Engagement.

  • ​Tim McCloud, FCIM Chartered Marketer – Marketing & Creative Strategy.

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