Campaign Launched to Raise Awareness of Unwelcome Sexual Attention Faced by Women and Girls in Public Spaces

A new digital and PR campaign to raise awareness of the unwelcome sexual attention that women and girls experience has been launched by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Women and girls can experience various types of sexual violence in public spaces, from unwelcome sexual remarks and touching to rape and femicide. Sexual violence can happen on streets, in and around schools, public transportation, workplaces, parks, public toilets and other spaces and even online.

The latest #RespectMySpace campaign from our Safeguarding Team will focus on raising awareness to the unwelcome sexual attention that women and girls can experience here in our local community. Whether it’s travelling home from a night out or going for a run in the local park women can experience unwanted sexual harassment.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “This campaign aims to highlight various scenarios faced by women and girls in public spaces as they go about their daily lives. It’s vital that everyone understands what violence against women and girls is, including its root causes, to play an active role in preventing it.”

To support this work, we have partnered with Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Southern Health and Social Care Trust and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to promote our new ‘#RespectMySpace’ campaign across local media and social media channels.

Donna Murphy, Assistant Director, Family Support and Safeguarding, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, said, “It’s so important that women and girls feel safe whilst out and about in public spaces within our local communities. Everyone can play a part in changing this. We are asking people to make small but significant changes to their behaviour to help women and girls feel safe when accessing public spaces. This includes men calling out others when their behaviours may make women and girls feel unsafe.”

Jason Caldwell, Assistant Director, Safeguarding & Family Support, South Eastern Health Social Care Trust, said, “Calling a space a safe space is not enough. We need to create a culture of trust where women and girls are not subject to unwanted attention, catcalling, harassment or to be made uncomfortable in our public spaces. Collectively we must take a stand and take responsibility in ensuring all our spaces are safe for everyone, regardless of gender”.

Both the Health Trusts are ensuring that their teams are on hand to support anyone who needs help or support. The key phone numbers which are promoted as part of this partnership are as follows: Southern Health and Social Care Trust 028 3756 7100 and South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust: 0300 100 0300 and the 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 802 1414. The campaign is also supported by a range of online resources which are available on the Council’s corporate website: www.newrymournedown.org/safeguarding The web page also sign posts to other support services available for women and girls. 

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Sarah Duffy said, “Improving the wellbeing of our communities and preventing violence that is targeted towards women and girls is a key objective of this campaign. The messaging highlights that small and considerate changes in behaviour can make a difference in promoting feelings of safety to help everyone enjoy the use of our public spaces equally.”

For further information on the #RespectMySpace campaign please visit www.newrymournedown.org/safeguarding.