report "acquaintance rape'' in the wake of an acquittal of a man on a serious sexual assault charge.

The Women's Resource Centre has released a statement to "reiterate and reinforce'' to women that "no matter what -- no-one has the right to rape''.

She said several women a year contact the Centre, suffering from the trauma of having been raped by someone they know or acquaintance rape.

Many do not report the crime to Police, often for years on end, and many have a tendency to blame themselves for the attack.

An additional twist for counsellors is that the women may blame themselves for the attack, thinking they could have prevented it but the Centre believes this takes "the onus of responsibility off of the perpetrator and places it onto the victim''.

"The WRC would like to reiterate and reinforce for the public that no matter what, no-one has the right to rape you. Don't be afraid to go to the Police.'' Letter to the Editor: Page 4