The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has launched the next phase of its ‘#IsThisOk?’ campaign, targeting sexual harassment towards women and girls across the region and the UK.
Started back in 2021 as Mayor Andy Burnham tweeted the first video of a woman being sexually harassed and posed the simple but important question, The hashtag followed soon after and the initiative has only continued to grow since then.
Targeting boys and men in the hopes of educating them on appropriate behaviours towards the opposite sex, the GMCA campaign looks to encourage more people to hold each other accountable.
With 97% of women aged 18-24 in the UK alone having experienced sexual harassment in the past and countless women throughout various age groups across the country suffering the same on a regular basis, it’s clear that there is a lot more that still needs to be done.
Men and boys need to come together to improve the treatment of women and girls across our region.#IsThisOK? When we see it’s not OK, we can say it’s not OK. We can change the story. Head to https://t.co/1CdVbDJphi for more info. pic.twitter.com/rx9uXRzWox
Crucially, what this year’s campaign has placed a particular emphasis on compared to 2021 is males becoming allies by not just checking their own conduct, but by challenging other men and boys on their behaviour too.
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Following research by the local authority, it is estimated that only one in three men have called out a friend for ‘banter’ or making a sexual joke about a woman to other men and, similarly, just one in three have admitted to creating a distraction after a man acted inappropriately towards women.
As blokes, we simply have to do better.
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As detailed on the updated #IsThisOk? website, the fresh push for awareness, education and support this December is “to show that calling out behaviour that isn’t OK in a small, everyday way can make a change”.
Focusing not only on men aged 18-35, the overarching goal of the #IsThisOk? campaign is to educate young boys are the earliest opportunity possible and, hopefully, hold the both current and next generations to a higher standard.
It’s not just about keeping men in line, it’s about making everyday life safer and more enjoyable for women all across the country.
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Let’s make Greater Manchester a better place to live for everyone, lads.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Danny Jones -
21st December 2022 
