Tackling Harassment, Violence and Abuse - What Can I Do?

There are some simple steps you can take to #DotheRightThing.

See it

• Don’t stand by, stand up. If you can see that a person feels uncomfortable with someone’s behaviour then check they that are ok
• If you see abuse or violence, don’t look away – get help.

Hear it

• Sex should always be consensual. Only have sex when you both want to. Make sure you are regularly checking in for consent and be aware of your partner’s reaction. If you have any doubts, stop.
• If someone is not interested in you then get the message. Repeated and unwanted attempts to contact a person can be threatening and even amount to stalking.
• Listen to and believe survivors of abuse. If someone shares their experience of abuse give them time and space to talk. Believing survivors and listening without judgement makes a huge difference to their recovery.

Say it

• If a friend or colleague makes a sexist joke or inappropriate sexual remark, call it out for what it is.
• Be part of the change – you may not harass or abuse women, but if you stay silent when you witness violence or abuse then you are part of the problem.
• Educate – next time someone tells you violence against women and girls is not a problem, tell them recent statistics show that:
  • more than 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic abuse
  • 1 in 5 women have experienced stalking
  • 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault or attempted sexual assault in their lifetime
  • Nearly 1 in 5 murders in 2020 were a result of domestic abuse.