The campaign has been created following the shocking statistic that 86% of women aged 18-24 have been sexually harassed (A Report by APPG for UN Women). In West Yorkshire alone, according to a Leeds Women’s Safety Survey, 45% of Leeds women said they had been followed or stalked and 21% suffered sexual assault or rape.
Lydia Ellis, a student at the University of Leeds and a victim of sexual
harassment said she has experienced this type of behaviour from since being a child.
“I remember being followed when I was about 13 by a grown man, I was in my school uniform. It scares me and disgusts me that it starts from such a young age.”
The campaign’s video features 5 men showcasing harassment and aims to bring attention to the issues women unfortunately face daily. The hope is that it will spark a conversation between men and young boys and encourage them to reflect on their own behaviour.
Public opinion of the scheme is varied due to people in Leeds stating they think “more needs to be done.”
“Guys my age I think won’t be too affected by the video so I think there needs to be more education aimed at older men.”
Despite this, people agreed with the message but thought it should be aimed at children to combat this issue before these behaviours are learnt.
“It’s a positive message and obviously it’s important to educate men but I think it needs to be introduced to boys who are much younger to try and get ahead of that it before it’s too late.”
Together Women Project is an organisation that provides a safe space for women and girls in Leeds. Volunteer Phoebe Curtis said campaigns like this are a “step in the right direction.”
“A lot of the focus is always centered on what women can to do avoid harassment like covering up which promotes the idea that they are to blame, so this campaign is great as it puts the spotlight on what the problem actually is, which is the men’s behaviour.”
The overall message is that enough is enough and that this behaviour is not OK so just don’t.
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