Jersey Unveils New Campaign Against Street Harassment

Jersey has introduced a new program designed to address street harassment and its consequences. This effort is part of the government’s continuous commitment to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Named “It’s Not Okay,” the campaign seeks to confront detrimental behaviors and perspectives, especially within the demographic of young men and boys aged 16 to 25. This recent undertaking expands upon the foundation laid by the VAWG Taskforce. The Taskforce was formed in October 2022, under the leadership of then-Home Affairs Minister Deputy Helen Miles, with the mandate to confront violence and aggression that disproportionately impacts women and girls. The “It’s Not Okay” campaign incorporates various elements, such as online content, posters, stickers, and an animated video, all intended to heighten public understanding of street harassment. Anonymous statements from women and girls who contributed to the Taskforce’s 2022 study are prominently displayed throughout the campaign’s resources. These posters and stickers are being disseminated to secondary schools, youth services, and other groups that engage with young individuals. The foundation of this campaign rests on research carried out by the VAWG Taskforce, which encompassed a public request for information. Residents of the island conveyed their personal accounts via a survey and a safety heatmap, which identified locations where they experienced feelings of insecurity. Further investigation involved specific contributions from professionals, young individuals, and victim-survivors, collectively offering a thorough understanding of the problem within Jersey. Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, the Home Affairs Minister, emphasized the critical role of confronting language and conduct as an integral component of the resolution. She stated, “Sexist and misogynistic language creates an environment where violence against women and girls is more likely to occur.” Deputy Le Hegarat added, “This campaign challenges those behaviours and asks people to reflect on the consequences of their words and actions.” She further commented, “The voices of women and girls featured in this campaign are powerful and impactful.” Concluding her remarks, she expressed, “I hope this initiative inspires islanders to take a stand, support the cause, and report incidents to the police when something isn’t right.” For further updates, BBC Jersey can be followed on X and Facebook. Story proposals may be submitted to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. This material is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Details regarding our external linking policy are available.