THE experiences of women and girls affected by harassment in the street have been highlighted in a new campaign – targeting young men aged 16 to 25 – that seeks to raise awareness of the issue.
The “It’s Not Okay” initiative will see the Island’s secondary schools, the Jersey Youth Service as well as clubs and associations that work with young people, display posters and stickers with anonymous comments taken from research conducted by the Violence Against Women and Girls taskforce.
A report summarising that research, which included a public call for evidence, was published last year and made a number of recommendations – including that an initiative to tackle street harassment should be rolled out.
The new campaign, which can also be found online and on social media, is aimed at young men and boys and focuses on the impact that certain language and behaviour can have on women and girls.
The VAWG taskforce research documented a number of areas where respondents reported feeling unsafe, as well as anonymous comments highlighting their experiences.
Some of these comments have been displayed on the campaign’s posters, including those of a young women who was followed home by a man when she was a teenager – and another who recounted being stared at by large groups of men and subject to “unpleasant” remarks.
The VAWG taskforce was launched in 2022, bringing together representatives from specialist support services, criminal justice, health and social care, education, and community support services.
Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat said the campaign marked the “latest milestone” in the government’s work to implement the taskforce’s recommendations.
“It’s really impactful to see authentic, anonymous comments from girls and women used as part of the campaign. Language and behaviour are a huge part of everyday life – what we say and do matters; our words and behaviours have consequences, and this is what the campaign asks people to reflect on,” she explained.
“The work of the taskforce was fundamental to our island’s progress in tackling all forms of violence against women and girls.
“I’m grateful to the members of the taskforce for their dedication, and for the crucial and ongoing work in this space.”
She added: “I hope the campaign will be well-supported and give Islanders cause to reflect on the importance of language and behaviour, and to report to the police where something isn’t right.
“We want everyone to understand that verbal abuse or violence isn’t OK.”
Deputy Le Hegarat also noted the importance of the message reaching young men and boys.
“They are probably the ones who will be out and about more in public spaces,” she said.
“Even if one person says ‘hang on – this [type of behaviour] isn’t right’, then we’ve achieved something.”
