A new campaign aimed at men and boys challenging their behaviours to “tackle” sexual harassment of women and girls in public spaces has been launched in Greater Manchester this week.
#IsThisOK has been launched by Mayor Andy Burnham and Baroness Bev Hughes – Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice.
As part of the Greater Manchester 10-year ‘Gender-Based Violence Strategy’ – which was published back in September – the Mayor committed to personally leading the campaign, and so has set about launching it with the release of a new video that highlights the experiences women and girls face going about their daily lives.
The video will be taken out into schools, colleges and other community settings in the New Year and will be the first in a range of activities and public engagement about gender-based violence and challenging men’s and boys’ behaviours.
Some may perceive it as everyday harassment, but the behaviour in the video shows the impact it has on those on the receiving end and asks viewers the question ‘Do you think this is OK?’.
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Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has worked with women’s groups and men and boys as part of the development of the video, and say the video aims to get men and boys to recognise these types of behaviours are not okay, as they are “unsolicited intrusions which make women feel uneasy, threatened or even vulnerable”.
“Every woman will recognise these experiences,” GMCA says.
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📣 Today, Andy and Bev are launching the new campaign video.
The campaign is aimed at men and boys to challenge problematic behaviours and tackle the sexual harassment of women and girls in public spaces.#IsThisOK?
— Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) December 16, 2021
The launch of the campaign and the release of the video comes after research conducted by UN Women UK found that:
71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space.
This number rises to 86% among 18-24-year-olds.
Over 95% of all women did not report their experiences of sexual harassment
This is why GMCA say the video is intended to spark a conversation across the Greater Manchester region on the behaviours of men and boys, and what is considered sexual harassment.
Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Mayor Andy Burnham said: “This year, we have heard heartfelt calls from women and girls, across all ages and backgrounds, for major change when it comes to ending everyday abuse, intimidation and violence [and] I am proud that we are now taking serious action in Greater Manchester in response to those calls with this ambitious 10-year strategy against all forms of gender-based violence.
“I recognise my personal responsibility to lead a new conversation about the change we need to see and that is why I am bringing forward this campaign aimed at men and boys.”
A new campaign aimed at men and boys challenging their behaviours to “tackle” sexual harassment of women and girls in public spaces / Credit: GMCA
He continued: “For too long, women and girls have had to put up with behaviours in public spaces that have made them feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened [so] rather than women being forced to change their behaviours to feel safe, it is men and boys who need to take responsibility for this issue – either by reflecting on and changing our own behaviours or challenging those of people we know.
“If your behaviour is making women feel uncomfortable or unsafe, then our message is simple – it’s not OK.”
The launch of the campaign yesterday also marked the first meeting of the Greater Manchester Gender-Based Violence Board, which was one of the recommendations of the Gender Based-Violence Strategy to establish and will be chaired by the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice, Baroness Bev Hughes.
GMCA says the Board will “drive the implementation of the strategy” over the next 10 years.
Baroness Bev Hughes added: “I’ve long campaigned for and worked on improving the safety of women and girls against a backdrop of societal attitudes and behaviours that have allowed sexual harassment in public spaces to go on for far too long [but] the tide is now turning on what was once deemed tolerable behaviours such as catcalls or unwanted sexual comments or jokes.
“It was never OK in the past and it’s not OK now.”
#IsThisOK has been launched by Mayor Andy Burnham and Baroness Bev Hughes / Credit: GMCA
She continued: “While some might say we should be focusing our energies on serious and violent crime against women and girls, and we are, we must also recognise that gender-based violence is on a continuum [and] turning a blind eye to everyday harassment gives some men and boys licence to go further and can lead to horrific consequences for the victim.
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“The common thread running through all these types of behaviours is that too many men and boys feel entitled to say and do whatever they want to women and girls.
“And that is just not acceptable.”
You can find out more about the #IsThisOK campaign on the GMCA website here.
Featured Image – GMCA
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Strangeways declared ‘threat to national security’ following drone deliveries of drugs, weapons and more
Danny Jones
A recent trend at HMP Manchester has been declared a “threat to national security” after it was learned that drones have been regularly delivering drugs, weapons and more into the facility formerly known as Strangewaysalong with other UK prisons.
It’s said there were roughly 220 drone sightings over the past year or so – more than any other prison in the country – and issues around contraband, violence, hygiene and more have been on the increase ever since. HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire was found to be similarly neglected.
A rife drug and rat problem was found following a surprise autumn inspection between September and October; it is now evident that the chronic issues have been exacerbated by a major security breach as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, says police have “ceded airspace” over facilities.
The most recent report on conditions at HMP Manchester and Long Lartin was published on Tuesday, 14 January and, in short, it insists that huge investment is needed in order to curb the crisis.
Credit: HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Drones, corruption and a lack of investment have seen Strangeways maintain its reputation
A top-line assessment of Strangeways found that many of the sticking points came down not only to the advent of drones delivering items such as phones, drugs, weapons and other “large payloads” weighing up to as much as 7kg, but merely “poor physical security” and concerns regarding corruption.
Most notably, high-risk prisoners who Taylor described as “extremely dangerous” have been burning holes in cell windows in order to pick up drone deliveries. The ease with which these exchanges are able to take place comes down to what he simply calls “slow action”.
There has been a damning failure to spot, repair and/or replace these panels, as well as the torn netting over exercise yards, meaning that drone operators have an easier task when dropping their packages into the 158-year-old penitentiary.
According to the report, “a staggering 39% of prisoners had tested positive in mandatory drug tests at Manchester” (50% at Long Lartin) and a simple survey found that drugs and alcohol were “easy” to acquire inside Strangeways.
In addition to the rodent infestation, general hygiene looks to have plummeted to new lows in recent times too, with “widespread dirt, damp and litter” as well as vandalism in several areas. Inmates have also been tearing up mattresses to insulate windows from the cold.
Numbers relating to assault, self-harm, suicide and more have also risen since the last major inspection in 2021. By all accounts, it remains one of Britain’s most dangerous prisons for a whole host of reasons.
There has also been a significant drop-off when it comes to socialisation and rehabilitation efforts, as the work day, learning and general activities look to have dwindled too.
Taylor signed off by writing: “The safety of staff, prisoners and ultimately that of the public, is seriously compromised by the failure to tackle what has become a threat to national security.
“The prison service, the police and other security services must urgently confront organised gang activity and reduce the supply of drugs and other illicit items which so clearly undermine every aspect of prison life.” To put it simply, he says the situation is “highly alarming.”
It may not make for pleasant reading, but if you want a clearer picture of the current conditions inside Strangeways prison or to learn more about the growing advent of smuggling drones, you can read the extensive 67-page report in full HERE.
Broken cell windowDamage and dirtThe state of a kitchenette (Credit: HMIP)
Featured Images — Robert Wade (via Flickr)/HMIP (HM Inspectorate of Prisons)
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Murder investigation launched after man in his 50s found dead in Little Hulton
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a man in his 50s was found in Little Hulton this past weekend.
Shortly before 7:30am on Sunday 12 January, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to an address on Hope Hey Lane, in the Little Hulton area of Salford, following reports of concern for the welfare of a man.
Once emergency services arrived on the scene, the body of a man in his 50s was sadly found dead.
According to GMP, following a post mortem taking place, officers believe the man’s injuries are “consistent with an assault”, and because of this, detectives have subsequently launched a murder investigation.
#ARREST | A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found deceased in Little Hulton yesterday.
A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
There will be an increase in police around the area while we investigate.
With the investigation ongoing, a woman in her 40s has already been arrested on suspicion of murder, and she remains in police custody for questioning.
Addressing the incident and speaking on the murder investigation as it progresses, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Higginson, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Sadly, following the discovery of a body at a property in Little Hulton, we have now launched a murder investigation, and we have a team of detectives working around the clock to understand the circumstances.
“We do not believe there to be a threat to the wider public, but you will likely see an increased presence of police in your area whilst we conduct further enquiries.
Hope Hey Lane in Little Hulton, where the incident happened / Credit: Google Maps
“If you have any information which may assist our investigation, or any dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from the area in the lats 24 hours, then please get in touch with us. No matter how small the information may seem, it could be crucial to our investigation.”
Can you help? Any information can be shared by calling police on 101 quoting log 650 of 12/01/25, or using the LiveChat function online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Emily Sergeant -
17th December 2021 
