Anti-harassment campaign launched

A powerful campaign tackling everyday harmful behaviours towards women and girls has been launched by The Safer BCP partnership for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP).

The campaign aims to challenge behaviours which make women and girls feel uncomfortable or unsafe, such as catcalling, following or unwanted comments.

It calls on men and boys to reflect on their own actions and attitudes, as well challenge those of their friends by calling them out if they are behaving inappropriately, by saying: “just don’t.”

In the UK, 86 per cent of young women have experienced some form of sexual harassment, and one in five have been sexually assaulted.

Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said:

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in our communities, and women and girls should not have to adapt their behaviours out of fear.

“We are proud to support the Just Don’t campaign and are committed to challenging negative and harmful behaviours in our area.

“This campaign is an educational one, aiming to help teach and empower young men and boys in our area, by addressing misconceptions, challenging negative perceptions and promoting healthy masculinity.”

Engagement sessions and events are being held with partners across the conurbation to raise awareness for the campaign and broader issue of harassment, including work with schools, local businesses, transport providers, nighttime venues, gyms and leisure centres.

Last month, BCP Council Community Safety colleagues conducted a workshop with students at Bournemouth and Poole College. The session involved discussions about different types of harassment, the impact of these behaviours can have on women and girls, common misconceptions and practical solutions to addressing these issues.

The campaign incorporates the work of several agencies and local organisations across our area, striving to deliver wholesale and scalable change. This includes BCP Council, Dorset Police, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, STARS Dorset, The Shores, AFC Bournemouth, local Business Improvement Districts and Suzy Lamplugh Trust – who are running free online Stand up to Harassment sessions for bystanders in July.

Stephanie Lee, Engagement Team Leader at STARS Dorset said:

“We are really excited to be partnering with BCP to share this impactful campaign.

“We are running a summer long engagement project based on Bournemouth Beach, and the Just Don’t campaign powerfully reinforces the message we’re sharing about peer-on-peer abuse.”

The Council, alongside partners, remains dedicated to ensuring the safety of all residents across the BCP area.

Recent investment has seen street lighting and CCTV monitoring upgraded across the conurbation to help enhance public security, while initiatives such as the BCP Unity Promise continue to have a significant impact, uniting more than 25 businesses in a shared pledge to protect the safety of women and girls in Bournemouth Town Centre.

Last year, BCP Council also received its White Ribbon Accreditation, which is only given to organisations that take initiative and have a clear action plan to address violence against women and girls over the next three years. White Ribbon described BCP Council’s local action plan as “very detailed and balanced” upon its approval.

“The message of this campaign is really important because we want Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to be the safest and friendliest place it can be for all women and girls” continued Councillor Wilson.

“We should hold ourselves and the people we associate with to account. If you witness inappropriate behaviour, or if you’re in doubt as to whether your own behaviour is acceptable, the message is clear – just don’t.”

 

 

 

With thanks to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who created the Just Don't campaign, which is being used by BCP Council under licence.