We know it’s not easy to be the person to challenge wrongdoing within your friendship group or even in public, but there are many non-confrontational ways to stand up to violence against women and girls.
Catcalling
Making unsolicited remarks of a sexual nature is often referred to as ‘catcalling’ and is a form of sexual harassment.
If you witness this within your friendship group or when you’re in public. Have a word with your mates or the perpetrator and tell them it’s not acceptable.
If the perpetrator shows no signs of stopping harassing the woman, offer to accompany her to a safe place and encourage them to report the incident to the police.
Upskirting
Upskirting is a highly intrusive practice, which typically involves someone taking a picture under another person’s clothing without their consent. If you see or hear of one of your friends doing this, call it out and tell them it is a criminal offence and disgusting.
If you witness this happening let the victim know and support her in finding a safe place. Encourage her to report this to the police and assist the investigation by providing a clear description of the perpetrator.
In-appropriate touching
It’s not acceptable for anyone to be touched, grabbed and groped without consent and sadly this is a devastatingly common experience for women and girls. This has sadly become part of life for many women and girls and the normalisation is perpetuated still further by a lack of response from witnesses and bystanders. If you ever see one of your friends making a woman or girl feel uncomfortable or threatened by touching, grabbing or groping them, have a word with them and tell them immediately to stop.