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
News
Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order
Daisy Jackson
The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.
Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.
He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.
On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.
Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.
She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.
The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.
The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.
Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.
Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.
Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.
“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.
“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.
In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.
“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.
“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.
“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!
10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder
Emily Sergeant
Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.
The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.
Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.
As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.
#ARREST | Earlier today we arrested 10 suspects in relation to violence that occurred the day before a game involving Manchester United and FC Twente.
Violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, will not be tolerated.
On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.
With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.
Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.
Emily Sergeant -
17th December 2021 
