Durham Uni expert speaks out about sexual harassment of women in public spaces

A group of MPs wants more to be done about sexual harassment - saying it's now "deeply ingrained" in British culture.

Plan International's campaign video shows the ways women and girls are targeted

MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee say the government's not doing enough to tackle it.

Their report found 64 percent of women have experienced unwanted sexual attention while out.

And now, they wants ministers to look at starting campaigns to tackle attitudes - and at forcing transport firms to ban sexual harassment on buses and trains.

Just this morning Cleveland Police have issued a warning, after reports of unwanted sexual remarks being made to women in a Hartlepool Park.

Fiona Vera-Grey researches violence against women at Durham Uni;

"Even though we have a violence against women and girls strategy, sexual harrassment isn't mentioned in the strategy, let alone the harrassment of women in public spaces,

"So it sounds to me like it's been a key area, that because it's so normal, usual, routine, it's so trivialised, it's actually been missed."

A Government spokesperson said:

"Unwelcome advances that intimidate, degrade or humiliate women and girls are an abuse of power and unlawful. Whether in the home, the workplace or in public, sexual harassment is unacceptable.

"The Government has made protecting women and girls from all forms of violence, and supporting victims and survivors a key priority.

"To support the Government's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, we have pledged £100 million in funding until 2020 and will be updating our Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to ensure that we are doing all that we can to tackle crimes which disproportionately impact on women."