Harassment of women in public spaces is too common and needs to stop
By Anthea Sully
Harassment and abuse of women, by men, in public spaces is far too common and causes long-term harm to women, restricting their freedom and affecting their mental wellbeing.
I have used my words carefully here - when issues of violence against women are discussed we often fail to say that this is men's violence against women.
According to Plan UK, before the pandemic, 38% of girls experienced harassment such as catcalling, wolf-whistling and sexual comments at least once a month.
During lockdown levels of street harassment increased. This behaviour is neither trivial nor acceptable — it falls within the United Nations definition of violence against women,
If violence is to end we have to address the masculine cultures where harassment starts. White Ribbon is the symbol of men standing up against this violence.
White Ribbon UK has seen a significant increase in men wanting to play their part in ending it.
There is still a long way to go. We need to see far more attention paid to problematic men's attitudes in schools and a higher level of awareness generally.
So, men, I am handing it over to you. Let's have a fresh start where men think about their own attitudes and seek to influence friends and colleagues. Please listen to women, become our allies, and call out behaviours that cause such misery and harm.
You can make a difference.
Anthea Sully, White Ribbon Chief Executive, featured in the Daily Express to calls on men to help end street harassment.