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Sexual harassment
What if we told you that 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in public places*?
This figure, whilst horrifically high, sadly won’t be a shock to a lot of people reading this. Truth is, we all probably know someone who has been a victim of sexual harassment, we just might not realise it.
*2021 UN Women UK YouGov survey
What do we mean by sexual harassment?
You might have heard it under different terms like ‘unwanted sexual behaviour’, ‘street harassment’ or ‘sexual violence/assault’ but essentially the law says it’s when unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that violates your dignity, makes you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated or creates an offensive or hostile environment.
Last year, we commissioned a major report from the University of Suffolk, 'Sexual harassment in public spaces', which identified that there are men in the streets who feel they are able to abuse women for their own sexual enjoyment and are entitled to being demeaning to women in public spaces. Invasion of a woman’s personal space, for example, was seen as evidence of a general culture of a lack of respect towards women.
Sexual harassment in all its forms, whether experienced in person or online, can have serious and lasting effects on its victims. No matter your age, gender or sexual orientation, sexual harassment can happen to anyone – it’s never OK and it’s never your fault.
Whilst not all acts of harassment are technically a crime, they’re all unacceptable and need to be stopped. When behaviour is left unchecked, it could escalate into perpetrators moving on to more extreme and dangerous types of harassment.
We all have the power to help stop this from happening by challenging sexual entitlement and reporting it.
Know someone who does any of the following?
- Flashing/exposure - for example, exposing genitals in a public place and/or masturbating in public (this can also be done underneath someone’s clothing).
- Sexual comments/gestures - behaviour such as 'catcalling' and 'wolf-whistling', sexual propositions (verbal and non-verbal), and/or making comments about someone’s body.
- Stalking - classed as a pattern of fixated or obsessive behaviour which is repeated, persistent, intrusive and causes fear of violence or engenders alarm and distress in the person targeted - find out more.
- 'Cyberflashing' - for example, sending or showing sexual images and/or website content/links, commonly transmitted via AirDrop or Bluetooth.
- Intrusive/persistent questioning - when you’ve made it clear you don’t want to talk to someone - e.g. “Have you got a boyfriend/girlfriend?”, “Where are you going?” etc.
- Touching or rubbing against the clothed body of another person in a crowd (e.g. on a busy train or bus) as a means of obtaining sexual gratification.
- Watching explicit content in public areas - e.g. pornography, including in some cases trying to show this content to others nearby.
- 'Upskirting' - placing a camera beneath a person’s clothing to take a voyeuristic photograph without their permission.
- Standing too close when there is no need to/invading personal space - e.g. somebody standing/sitting unusually close to you on a bus or train service that isn’t very busy.
- Physical and/or sexual assault, rape - e.g. non-consensual touching, grabbing, groping, stroking, kissing etc. Sexual intercourse of any kind without consent.
What information could help stop a perpetrator?
- Details on who they are or what they look like.
- Details on the location, date and time it happened.
- Details on the crime itself – what type of harassment was being committed.
- Details on whether the perpetrator has been involved in multiple offences of sexual harassment.
- If you see recorded footage of sexual harassment posted online: details or links of the site/platform where it was posted, who posted it, and when.
How can you report sexual harassment?
Is it happening right now? No matter where you are, in an emergency, always call 999.
If you're happy to give personal information, report what you know directly to the your local police force by calling 101 or through their website.
Do you have information about it happening on a train journey? Our charity powers an 100% anonymous service to speak up about sexual harassment on UK rail networks. Just call 0800 783 0137 or fill in this form.
If you're happy to give personal information, report what you know directly to the British Transport Police.
What support is out there for victims?
If you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment, please remember it is NEVER your fault - no matter what the circumstances are.
Although you don’t have to report the crime to the police if you don’t want to, they will take reports of sexual harassment seriously.
Regardless of whether you choose to talk to the police, we strongly recommend that you contact Victim Support to discuss options and be supported. Learn more about the options available to you here or call 0808 1689 111.
Remember that if you are feeling upset, or would like to talk with someone, you can find support at the following links:
- Rape Crisis England and Wales - specialist resources for women who have experienced any form of sexual violence.
- Hersana CIC - specialist resources for Black women, girls and femmes who have experienced any form of sexual violence.
- Galop - specialist resources for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse or violence.
- Survivors UK - specialist resources for men who have experienced any form of sexual violence.
- National Association for People Abused in Childhood - specialist resources for people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
If you have used harmful or abusive behaviours towards a partner, you can reach out for confidential support here at Respect - specialist resources for those using abusive behaviours.
If you are experiencing sexual thoughts or feelings towards children that concern you, you can reach out for confidential support at Stop It Now!
White Ribbon UK is the leading charity engaging with men and boys to end violence against women.
Help stop sexual harassment and violence by challenging sexual entitlement
THAT GUY is a campaign from Police Scotland that aims to reduce rape, serious sexual assault, and harassment by having frank conversations with men about male sexual entitlement.
The campaign wants men to stop contributing to a culture that targets, minimises, demeans, and brutalises women.
Join the conversation by talking more openly to your male friends and relatives about behaviour that’s damaging to women and puts men at risk of offending.
Read more about women’s experiences of sexual harassment on everydaysexism.com to bring to life the realities of this demeaning crime which can turn violent.
