EXPERIENCES of women from across the North East have been turned into a series of powerful short films as part of a digital campaign called #ItAllAddsUp which has been developed to tackle misogynistic behaviours and attitudes and prevent sexual harassment.
Ella, Caitlyn, Jude and Maryam aren’t their real names but their stories are the real, everyday experiences of women who live all over our region Each woman has been made to feel intimidated, annoyed, frustrated and even, at times, triggered by the comments, gestures and physical contact made by some men in public places.
The campaign is part of Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness’ Women’s Safety in Public Places project, which has invested over £1million pounds worth of practical solutions and behaviour change projects to make people feel safer in our region.
As part of the ongoing work, the PCC commissioned Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland to conduct a series of focus groups to capture real-life views and anecdotes to inform the campaign.
The videos feature women of different cultures, ages and sizes to highlight how sexual harassment happens to all women, not just the stereotypical beauty being chatted up in a nightclub. They’re experiencing harassment in different settings too, such as on the bus in a rural community, with a child in a park or when popping to the shops in broad daylight.
One focus group member said, “my mam experienced it [harassment] coming out of the shop – a bunch of teenage lads saying look at the size of that woman’s knockers”. Another told how when she feels uncomfortable in a public place, she texts a friend saying “If I don’t text you in 30 mins, call the police”, demonstrating the real fear that is felt. It was also apparent that sometimes when people do step in, they don’t call the behaviour out but blame the victim saying things like “mate she is clearly on her period leave her be, she isn’t worth it.”
Snapshots like this were collated and Newcastle’s award-winning film production company Meerkat Films produced a series of films which were shot at locations throughout the Northumbria Police force area and feature local acting talents.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “By turning a blind eye to everyday harassment, it gives some men and boys the OK to go further and can lead to horrific consequences for the victim. So, with this powerful campaign we are doing the very opposite of turning a blind eye; we’re shining the spotlight on it. A simple remark can be intimidating, annoying, frustrating and even at times, triggering. It all adds up, and so we want men and boys to be asking themselves if they are part of the problem. If they are, they need to change.
“So often women change who they are to try and stop sexual harassment from occurring. For example, changing their clothing, where they go, and when they go out. Women are blaming themselves. ‘I shouldn’t have been out so late’ and ‘well I was wearing a lo-cut top’. No. This is all victim blaming and it is wrong. This isn’t a problem with women. The problem sits with men. People are often too scared to talk about it. Well, I am talking about it and I really hope people will join me and do the same so we can spark conversation and drive lasting change.
“My thanks go to all the women who shared their experiences. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to create such an authentic, genuine campaign.”
Deputy Chief Executive Samantha Jones, from Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, said: “The everyday nature of gendered sexual harassment makes women feel they have to simply accept it as’ part and parcel’ of being a woman. Some men don’t realise that women are impacted way more than they think. If we want to start tackling public sexual harassment, the first step is to understand what behaviours, actions and comments constitute harassment then we can start preventing it. It is about respecting women and their right to feel safe and free from the threat of sexual harrassment.”
Chief Superintendent Lyn Peart, head of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding department said: “Sexual harassment in any form is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“We all have a responsibility to tackle harassment such as that shown in the videos, and I urge anyone out there who thinks behaviour like this is remotely acceptable to think again.
“We want everyone to feel safe in our communities and we always encourage anyone who has experienced sexual harassment to please report it to police.
“We are here and we’ll support you in every way we can.”
For more information about Kim McGuinness’ strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls click here.
ENDS
To watch the videos and for more information click here.
