Greater Manchester publishes 10-year plan to protect women
Mayor Andy Burnham declared he wanted the "streets, workplaces, schools, universities and homes of this city-region to be safe for every woman and girl."
Greater Manchester Combined Authority has published a 10-point plan to protect females – with Mayor Andy Burnham declaring he wanted the “streets, workplaces, schools, universities and homes to be safe for every woman and girl.”
The GMCA’s Gender Based Abuse Strategy has been “deliberately brought forward” following the case of Sarah Everard – whose tragic death has sparked a national ‘Reclaim These Streets’ movement to tackle misogyny and violence in Britain.
Proposals of the decade-long plan include introducing an emergency contact system for passengers on public transport (to alert the police discreetly); Public Space Protection Orders; and a public campaign on what is sometimes called ‘low level’ harm such as wolf-whistling, catcalling and stalking.
The strategy also pledges that anyone who suffers misogynistic abuse will be “offered the same protections as those afforded to all hate crime victims.”
Earlier this week the Government made a similar promise – saying it would “on an experimental basis” ask police to record crimes of violence motivated by a person’s sex or gender.
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🗣️ "We want to change the story on violence against women and girls.
"We have got to seek to change attitudes right across society."
Today, the Deputy Mayor announced proposals for a Gender Based Abuse Strategy for Greater Manchester.
— Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) March 17, 2021
Statistics show that one in four women in the UK will experience some form of sexual assault or domestic abuse in their lifetime.
In Greater Manchester, 36% of all violent crime reported to the police entails domestic abuse.
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Mayor Andy Burnham said that such cases had gone on “far too long”.
“Firstly, we need to work together with a range of agencies to improve the services we provide to victims, and secondly we need to challenge attitudes and behaviours,” he stated.
“It’s why I intend to bring forward a high-profile campaign asking men and boys to think about their behaviour and how it makes women and girls feel so we become a better and safer place to live and work.”
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Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Bev Hughes declared that “enough is enough”.
“I hear the harrowing stories every day and the toll it takes on women physically and mentally,” she stated.
“It’s pervasive in our everyday life, from walking down a street and being called names because of how you are dressed, or being followed, or being threatened or being attacked.
“I’m proud of the Gender Based Abuse Strategy proposals we’ve published today and I want to thank the many people who have helped us already to get to this point. However, there may be other issues we should include so I’d want everyone in Greater Manchester to help us get it right.”
Fresh warning issued about swimming in Salford Quays amid bank holiday heatwave
Daisy Jackson
A new warning has been issued reminding people of the dangers of swimming in Salford Quays – even with such warm weather.
Salford City Council issued a warning over the late May bank holiday weekend urging people to stay out of the water.
It comes just two weeks after two people were rescued from the water and rushed to hospital with hypothermia.
And last summer, tragedy struck in Salford Quays when 16-year-old Kalen Waugh – who was last seen struggling in the water while swimming with friends – was found dead in the water.
People are now being reminded that the warm weather doesn’t mean that bodies of water like rivers, lakes and reservoirs are warm enough to swim in.
Salford City Council said: “Even in a heatwave open water in Salford Quays, rivers, lakes and reservoirs is always cold.
“The risk of drowning through cold water shock is real. Please stay out of the water unless taking part in an organised activity and stay safe.”
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) says there are three stages that your body will go through if you experience cold water shock.
The first is a gasp for breath followed by rapid breathing (hyperventilation).
They then say: “At the same time as your breathing goes out of control, your blood pressure shoots up as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving it towards the middle of your body (this is why you go pale when you’re cold).
“Once your breathing is back under control, this is your window to get out of the water before the further effects of cold water shock kick in.
“As your muscles cool, your strength, endurance and muscle control reduces to the point when you can’t swim any longer so can’t rescue yourself. The point at which you can’t swim any more is called ‘swim failure’, and if you haven’t got out of the water or managed to get hold of a buoyancy aid (like a lifejacket) by this time, you will drown.”
The RLSS issues the following advice if you do fall into cold water.
First, keep your mouth away from the water until you have your breathing back under control, you can do this by rolling onto your back and floating or paddling to stay at the surface.
Then, don’t waste any time and swim towards an exit before your muscles start to cool, or swim towards something that will help you to stay afloat whilst you are calling for help.
Finally, once you are out of the water re-warm yourself as soon as you can to avoid hypothermia.
Temperatures across Greater Manchester are set to hit highs of 22 degrees this week as we head into yet more days of sunshine and warm weather.
Featured image: Unsplash
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Manchester house goes on sale with life-sized ‘sex doll’ in pictures
Georgina Pellant
A two bedroom house has gone up for sale in Manchester, and the appearance of a surprise guest in its listing pictures has got the city talking.
The mid-terrace family home in Blackley looks completely normal at first, priced at a modest £160,000.
Completely normal, that is, until you spot the stiletto-wearing life-sized doll reclining in front of a bed underneath the stairs.
Wearing a fitted red dress with her legs akimbo, the lifelike doll has been spotted by eagle-eyed property hunters on the lookout for a bargain.
Reclining on what appears to be either a chaise lounge or a put-up bed in a ‘rest area’ under the stairs, the lifelike mannequin appears to be wearing fishnet stockings underneath her bodycon dress.
Image: Henstock Property Services
Image: Henstock Property Services
Accessorised with a wide-brimmed hat and teeteringly-high stilettos, the appearance of the doll in the listing photos has caught attention online and led some online to wonder whether she comes with the house.
Elsewhere, the property briefly comprises an entrance hallway, lounge, kitchen, two good-sized bedrooms, downstairs WC, shower room and modern conservatory.
It also boasts a decent-sized outdoor area with a paved terrace area overlooking a green park.
The property listing description reads: “Henstock Property Services are pleased to market this 2 bedroomed mid terraced family home set in this popular location within 3.5 miles of the City Centre.
“The living accommodation briefly comprises; entrance into hallway, lounge, downstairs WC and rest area, modern fitted, conservatory, 2 bedrooms and a shower room.”
The Manc -
18th March 2021 
