By James Simons-
Cheshire Constabulary has released two videos to highlight the impact of harmful sexual harassment conduct.
The videos form part of the constabulary’s ‘No More Excuses’ campaign, which aims to tackle the issue of violence against women and girls.
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One of the videos will be advertised on Sky TV to almost 70,000 households across Cheshire.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts says the broader issues will not be solved by simply locking up people – “we also need a shift in attitudes”.
The constabulary says sexual harassment has been worryingly accepted as ‘an everyday occurrence’ in society, and it is crucial that everyone plays their part in calling out these behaviours, and highlighting the impact it has for women.
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The force said one of the videos sees family members calling out inappropriate behaviour – revealing a “stark wake-up call through the innocent eyes of a little boy”.
The second video showcases the very real impact these harmful behaviours have for many women across the county.
“Because of how some men treat women, there is a worry in every journey, said Cheshire Constabulary.
“It is hoped that anyone viewing these videos will understand why these issues are so important, call out these harmful behaviours and stand with women, not against them.”
The ‘No More Excuses’ campaign supports the constabulary’s wider Home Office funded Safer Streets initiative to prevent, reduce and tackle neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.
It is hoped that anyone viewing these videos will understand why these issues are so important, call out these harmful behaviours and “Stand with women, not against them.”
Force lead for Safer Streets, Superintendent Claire Jesson, said: “Many women across the county will resonate with what they see in these videos – either having experienced sexual harassment or unwanted attention in the past, or relating with that increased feeling of unease and anxiety when making a simple journey on their own.
“I want to reassure women that we are working harder than ever to end violence against women and girls across the county and we are determined to make Cheshire a place where everyone feels safe to go about their lives without the fear of sexual harassment or violence.”
In spring last year, Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner John Dwyer secured £1.5 million from the Safer Streets fund to allow the constabulary to put into place several interventions and initiatives that make a real difference to the safety of women and girls across the county.
He said: “The constabulary has been making huge strides in the work they’ve been doing to tackle violence against women and girls. The interventions that have been implemented here in Cheshire have seen more action being taken.
“We cannot stamp out violence against women and girls without societal change. So as well as practical support, extensive work has been done in local schools, colleges and the night-time economy to educate people about unacceptable behaviours which can often escalate into something much worse.
“In my Police and Crime Plan tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority. The work being undertaken as part of the Safer Streets initiative here in Cheshire goes to show the commitment to our residents that we take your safety seriously.”
Supt Jesson added: “We, of course, recognise that there are many people out there that are already setting high standards, particularly with the way they treat women and girls, and I am encouraging those people to help us call out anyone whose behaviour falls short of acceptable – when it is safe to do so.
“I am also urging the public to support our Safer Streets initiative. If you work in a school, the night-time economy or the hair/beauty/leisure industry then you can complete free sexual harassment prevention training to help you to identify sexual harassment and violence and know how to intervene safely and effectively.”
Mr Roberts said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Cheshire Constabulary as can be seen with our proactive approach to arresting and prosecuting offenders which leads the way nationally.
“But as much as we hold offenders to account we won’t solve the broader issues simply by locking people up.
“Of course that is a key function of the police but we also need a shift in attitudes to not just keep women safe , but to allow them to feel safe.
“This campaign brings that point home and hopefully will contribute making that change.”
The videos will be available on the constabulary’s website and social media accounts.
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