By Sammie Jones-
British politicians comprising the Women and Equalities Committee have decided to address what they consider to be harassment of women and girls across the UK, whom they say face “relentless” harassment on the street, without enough being done to stop it, MPs say. The politicians making up the Women and Equalities Committee looked into the issue for nine months and found the amount of harassment meant it became “normalized” for girls growing up.
The MPs have called for the British government to take action to tackle the unacceptable levels of harassment on the streets. The Home Office have describe the issue as a “key priority”.The committee heard evidence that street harassment ranges from being shouted at and cat-called through to sexual assaults.
The group of Mps also say harassment of women takes place in a number of public spaces, including transport, in bars and clubs, through online spaces, at universities, in parks and on the street. The politicians making up the Women and Equalities Committee looked into the issue for nine months and found the amount of harassment meant it became “normalized” for girls growing up.
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The MPs are now calling for the government to take action to tackle .The committee heard evidence that street harassment was widespread, from being shouted at and cat-called through to sexual assaults.
They also heard it took place in a number of public spaces – on transport, in bars and clubs, through online spaces, at universities, in parks and on the street. Cats calls re not so bad because some women may find that flattering, but shouting at names of any sort, including ‘sexy’ ‘hottie’ are all unacceptable to women who are going about their daily affairs. Some men even go as far as using derogatory langauge against women they consider not complaint to their advances.
Committee chairwoman Maria Miller said: “Women feel the onus is put on them to avoid ‘risky’ situations – all of this keeps women and girls unequal.”
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The report concluded that social attitudes underpinned sexual harassment, and the normalization of it contributed to a “wider negative cultural effect on society”. They want train and bus operators to take tougher action against sexual harassment and block the viewing of pornography on public transport. Ban all non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
In addition, the group want to publish a new “Violence Against Women and Girls” strategy. Create a public campaign to change attitudes. Take an evidence-based approach to addressing the harms of pornography, along the lines of road safety or anti-smoking campaigns
Tougher laws to ensure pub landlords take action on sexual harassment, and make local authorities consult women’s groups before licensing strip clubs. They also want to make it a legal obligation for universities to have policies outlawing sexual harassment.
Committee chairwoman Maria Miller said: “Women feel the onus is put on them to avoid ‘risky’ situations – all of this keeps women and girls unequal.”
The report concluded that social attitudes underpinned sexual harassment, and the normalization of it contributed to a “wider negative cultural effect on society”.
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