Men and boys are being urged to speak out and challenge harassment or unwanted attention experienced by women and girls on public transport in Greater Manchester.
The latest phase of the #IsThisOK? campaign is encouraging men travelling on public transport to consider their own behaviour and how it might be deemed unacceptable, while also providing support for how they can safely intervene and report incidents they witness.
Since its launch in September 2021, #IsThisOK? has highlighted the experiences that women and girls face while going about their daily lives, such as sexual harassment and unwanted sexual comments. These actions can also escalate into more violent behaviour.
Research suggests that 57% of women feel unsafe on our streets and public transport, and Transport for Greater Manchester is committed to changing this narrative and ending gender-based violence through its work with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), White Ribbon UK and other partners.
Common examples of behaviour which can be classed as sexual harassment in public spaces and public transport include:
• Getting too close: Choosing to deliberately invade someone’s personal space – by standing or sitting too close to them or walking directly behind them on the street – can make women feel intimidated or nervous. Respect each other’s space, and keep your distance.
• Staring: Intrusive, intimidating staring of a sexual nature.
• Catcalling: It’s not flattering. It’s not just a bit of fun. Keep it to yourself.
TfGM and the GMCA has commissioned a series of videos showing the types of unwanted behaviours that sometimes happen onboard buses, trams and trains. The campaign videos will be reinforced by advertising which will appear across the public transport network, alongside digital and social media.
A dedicated campaign website with links to the videos and more information can also be found here.
The multi-award-winning #IsThisOK? campaign has also helped spark a conversation among men and boys about why these behaviours are not acceptable, as well as encouraging them to call it out if they see friends, relatives or colleagues taking part.
All passengers can quickly discreetly report antisocial or unwanted behaviour using Greater Manchester Police’s LiveChat service, which is available 24/7.
But bystanders witnessing someone experiencing sexual harassment could also be able to help stop things getting worse by doing the following:
• Make a distraction: Ask “What’s the next stop?” or “Do you have the time?” or offer to swap seats.
• Make a note: Take all the details and make sure you report it.
• Make sure they are okay: Afterwards, check in and ask if they are ok, or speak to a member of staff for help.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “The safety of women and girls across our region has and always will be one of my biggest priorities, and ensuring their safety on public transport is of paramount importance as we deliver Greater Manchester’s integrated and inclusive Bee Network.
“We know that women feel much less safe on buses, trams and trains due to the behaviour of, primarily, men and boys. The #IsThisOK? campaign makes it clear that any behaviour which makes anyone feel vulnerable, frightened or unsafe has no place here or anywhere else.
“A survey of men and boys in Greater Manchester we commissioned showed that over half had seen our #IsThisOK? campaign since it was launched in 2021, with half of those saying it made them think, feel, or want to act differently. So I am delighted that TfGM is helping us spread our message even further by highlighting the unacceptable behaviour women and girls face on public transport.”
Last year TfGM became accredited by White Ribbon, the UK’s leading charity which encourages men and boys to bring an end to violence against women and girls. This year White Ribbon Day takes place on Saturday 25th November.
By becoming a White Ribbon accredited organisation, TfGM is committed to ending gender-based violence and supporting the wider Greater Manchester gender-based violence strategy.
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, said: “#IsThisOK? is part of our work to deliver Greater Manchester’s Gender-Based Violence Strategy, our 10-year plan working to tackle gender-based violence across the city-region. We are two years into delivering on its aims and remain committed to tackling all forms of gender-based violence, as well as the attitudes that allow and enable it to happen.
“Our approach is a whole-system one. That is, how our local authorities and services – from the police and healthcare, to education, to public transport – can work together on this. This campaign is so important in tackling the behaviour that women and girls too often experience and that is too often allowed to happen, but it’s also important in showing the power of our partnerships in Greater Manchester to tackle what is a complex issue together.”
TfGM, together with Greater Manchester Police, also leads the TravelSafe Partnership, which tackles crime and antisocial behaviour on public transport, while also reassuring passengers that they can travel safely.
TravelSafe staff and police dedicate more than 5,000 hours per week patrolling the bus and Metrolink networks, day and night, seven days a week. They are also supported by more than 3,800 CCTV cameras across the network that are monitored 24/7.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “Everyone using or working on our public transport and active travel network is entitled to be, and feel, safe at all times.
“Through the TravelSafe Partnership we are taking a range of action to make the Bee Network safe for everyone, especially for the 1.4 million women and girls in Greater Manchester who rely on buses, trains or the Metrolink every day.
“More than half of women we surveyed say they feel unsafe on our streets and public transport. I urge everyone to support this campaign to help us change that.”
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