Violence against women and girls
Support, advice and where to find help.
Contents
Through Her Eyes and 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
You can find out about events and sessions connected to Through Her Eyes and 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in our other page.
Through Her Eyes
Women and girls experience harassment every day from boys and men.
Staring, unwelcome comments, and jokes of a sexual nature are harassment. These seemingly small acts can grow into violence and abuse.
Women and girls should be able to walk our streets without fear or intimidation. It is not for them to adapt their behaviour to avoid unwanted attention from men or to feel safe.
That’s why our campaign ‘Through Her Eyes’ speaks directly to men and boys.
If it’s not called out, sexual harassment can escalate into violence against women and girls. This abuse is often seen as part of normal life. We want men and boys to make it right by challenging their own attitudes and behaviour, and that of others.
Types of harassment include:
- staring, leering or suggestive looks
- sexual comments or noises like catcalling or wolf-whistling
- jokes of a sexual nature
- stalking
- unwanted physical contact like touching or standing too close to someone
How you can help
Be ready with phrases or questions
It can be difficult to know how to call out sexist jokes or comments. Non-judgemental questions can be a good way to open up the conversation, like 'why do you think that?' or 'what is funny about that?’ Or you could choose to say something simple like 'that's not OK' or 'that wasn't funny'.
Take your friend aside
Find a way to call out harmful behaviour outside of a group. This avoids putting the other person on the spot, and your conversation will likely be more open and trusting.
Walk away
Sometimes it's not safe to challenge inappropriate behaviour. Always put your own safety first. Don’t feel pressure to join in.
You don’t have to engage and can walk away. This sends a signal that you’re not comfortable with the situation.
Spread the word about Through Her Eyes
Share the Through Her Eyes video with friends, at school or work. Start a conversation about how you talk about and treat women and girls.
Your actions can help teach other boys and men to stand up to sexual harassment when they see it.
What to do if you experience sexual harassment
If you feel unsafe, move to a place of safety. This could be a coffee shop, bar or shop. Anywhere there are people around.
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.
How to report sexual harassment:
- If it is happening right now, and it's an emergency, call the police on 999
- You can report the incident to your local police force or call 101
- Report the incident to the police online
- Contact Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers
If you have information about harassment happening in public, call 0800 555111 or fill in the online form to report harassment through Crimestoppers.
You can remain anonymous.
Victim support services
If you’ve been a victim of sexual harassment, remember it is never your fault - no matter what the circumstances are.
- You can contact Victim Support to discuss options and be supported
- You can learn more about the options available to children and young people or call 0808 1689 111
- You can also find support with organisations listed on Southwark's other Violence against women and girls pages
Support if you are worried about your own behaviour
Yuva
Yuva is a domestic abuse support project for young people run by the mental health charity Richmond Fellowship.
It works with people aged 11 to 25 who have used violent or controlling behaviours in their close personal relationships, such as with their parents, carers or girl/boyfriends.
The project helps young people stop the abuse and find healthier, safer ways of being with people who are close to them. It also offers support to the parents, family members and ex-partners who have experienced young people’s abuse. The service aims to increase safety and support positive relationships.
Young people can get help by being referred by a professional or by directly contacting Yuva on 020 8741 8020 or 07501 722 609.
Respect
Respect work with perpetrators, male victims, and young people using violence in their close relationships.
They can be contacted through their web page or on 0808 8024040.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
If you have any questions about the sessions, contact Chloe Alexis at Chloe.Alexis@southwark.gov.uk.