Campaign against sexual harassment launched across Wiltshire
Crimestoppers say over 70% of UK women have suffered some form of sexual harassment
People in Wiltshire are being encouraged to help tackle sexual harassment as a campaign across the county is launched.
It's being led by Crimestoppers, who say 71% of women in the UK have experienced unwanted sexual behaviour, with one in six being subjected to it before the age of 10.
Sexual Harassment is defined as is all unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that violates a person’s dignity, making them feel intimidated, humiliated and degraded.
Crimestoppers Regional Manager for Wiltshire, Beth Simpson, said: "Crime Stoppers have launched a campaign really to raise awareness about what sexual harassment is, the kinds of behaviours that are actually harassment.
"We want to give people the confidence to recognise those types of behaviours and empower them to speak up and report information anonymously."
Sexual harassment includes:
- Making sexual comments and gestures towards another person.
- Persistent and intrusive questioning of someone in a public place.
- Touching or rubbing against someone on a crowded bus or train.
- Flashing, exposing yourself, cyber flashing or watching explicit content in a public place.
- Up skirting and stalking.
Beth said: "It's really important that that we recognise these behaviours as harassment and that they're challenged because it is known that those kinds of behaviours in some cases can lead to more, more serious sexual violence."
She said it can be "humiliating" and "scary" for victims.
Beth told us it's crucial people recognise that the behaviours are criminal and have the confidence to speak up.
We can report incidents to Crimestoppers anonymously.
Beth said: "Tell us things like what was the incident that you witnessed, what happened, and give a description of the person that was carrying out the sexual harassment behaviours."
We can contact Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.