Sexual abuse survivor Kelly Lees has branded a Government pamphlet warning migrants about rape and consent “an insult to women and children” and “an insult to survivors”.

Speaking to GB News, Ms Lees said the decision to issue guidance explaining that rape and sexual offences are illegal showed that Britain was failing to properly protect women and children.

“This is an insult to women and children. This is an insult to survivors,” she said.

“It seems to me this country is a laughing stock at the minute and it seems to me yet again we are at the bottom of the pile.”

The Government guidance has been issued to asylum seekers and includes warnings about rape, harassment and sexual activity involving children. Ms Lees questioned what impact such a pamphlet could have, arguing that people should already understand that rape is wrong.

“What has happened to our safeguarding? What has happened to our morals?” she said.

“It’s an absolute huge insult, it really is.”

She added: “Every man knows deep down that rape is wrong. What is this pamphlet going to do? It’s an absolute joke.”

Ms Lees, who has spoken publicly about her experiences as a survivor, said she remained concerned about the safety of women and children and questioned why survivors continued to have to campaign for greater protection.

Her comments come amid a wider debate over the Government’s decision to provide asylum seekers with guidance on British laws surrounding sexual offences and consent. Ms Lees said the focus should be on practical safeguarding measures rather than issuing guidance after people have arrived in the UK.

“Isn’t this country already in enough crisis? Why are they not resolving any of this?” she said.

She argued that the Government appeared to be acknowledging the scale of the safeguarding concerns through the pamphlet, but questioned when ministers would take further action.

“When are they going to put the action in and start safeguarding the public, start safeguarding children and start safeguarding women and survivors of this horrific crime?” she said.

The discussion also touched on the concerns of people living near accommodation being used to house asylum seekers, including hotels and Houses in Multiple Occupation. Ms Lees said members of the public should not be left feeling responsible for protecting themselves and their communities.

“Why are they putting so much responsibility on the public to safeguard?” she said.

“Why isn’t the Government safeguarding us?”

Ms Lees said her experiences had left her questioning whether she felt safe in Britain.

“Do I feel safe in this country? No, I don’t,” she said.

She argued that survivors should not have to repeatedly fight for what she described as basic protections.

“We’re having to fight for justice, we’re having to fight for safeguarding, we’re having to fight just for basic human rights,” she said.

Ms Lees said the Government’s pamphlet had reinforced her view that ministers were aware of serious safeguarding concerns but were failing to address them with sufficient action.

“With this pamphlet, they know that there is still a fight and this huge crisis,” she said.