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| What should you do if you are harassed in public? | What should you do if you are harassed in public? |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| In an ideal world women would not be harassed while walking in the street. | In an ideal world women would not be harassed while walking in the street. |
| The responsibility always lies with the perpetrator and the onus should not be on women to change their behaviour to avoid such situations. | The responsibility always lies with the perpetrator and the onus should not be on women to change their behaviour to avoid such situations. |
| But, sadly, harassment - which can range from cat-calling to sexual assault - is a reality for many women. | But, sadly, harassment - which can range from cat-calling to sexual assault - is a reality for many women. |
| So what should you do if this happens to you? | So what should you do if this happens to you? |
| Molly Ackhurst of Hollaback London, a regional branch of an international movement tackling harassment, says there is no right or wrong way to respond. | Molly Ackhurst of Hollaback London, a regional branch of an international movement tackling harassment, says there is no right or wrong way to respond. |
| "Essentially people should respond in whatever way they feel able to at that moment," she says. | "Essentially people should respond in whatever way they feel able to at that moment," she says. |
| "People often feel like they haven't done enough, or they haven't done the right thing, but any response is valid." | "People often feel like they haven't done enough, or they haven't done the right thing, but any response is valid." |
| The group does have some general tips on what to do if you are harassed. | The group does have some general tips on what to do if you are harassed. |
| Keep safe | Keep safe |
| "The most important thing is to take yourself out of that situation if you can. Not all sexual harassment escalates, but it can, so your safety should be your first priority," says Ms Ackhurst. | "The most important thing is to take yourself out of that situation if you can. Not all sexual harassment escalates, but it can, so your safety should be your first priority," says Ms Ackhurst. |
| Rachel Nicholas from Victim Support, a charity offering help and advice to victims of crime - including harassment and assault - agrees the priority should be to get yourself to a safe space. | Rachel Nicholas from Victim Support, a charity offering help and advice to victims of crime - including harassment and assault - agrees the priority should be to get yourself to a safe space. |
| If you are on public transport, she advises, you could get off at the next stop, or stand closer to the driver until you can get somewhere safe. | If you are on public transport, she advises, you could get off at the next stop, or stand closer to the driver until you can get somewhere safe. |
| If you're close to home, you might want to consider going to a neighbour's house so your home location isn't easily identified, she says. | If you're close to home, you might want to consider going to a neighbour's house so your home location isn't easily identified, she says. |
| Ask for help | Ask for help |
| Ms Ackhurst also suggests calling out to people around you to ask for help. | Ms Ackhurst also suggests calling out to people around you to ask for help. |
| If you are on public transport you may be able to speak to a member of staff or the driver. | If you are on public transport you may be able to speak to a member of staff or the driver. |
| Or if you are outside Mrs Nicholas suggests going into a shop and asking a member of staff if you can wait there until the person has gone. You could also call a friend of family member to come and meet you. | Or if you are outside Mrs Nicholas suggests going into a shop and asking a member of staff if you can wait there until the person has gone. You could also call a friend of family member to come and meet you. |
| Don't engage | Don't engage |
| Hollaback generally advises against engaging with harassers as it could escalate the situation. | Hollaback generally advises against engaging with harassers as it could escalate the situation. |
| However if it feels like the right thing to do, the group recommends looking them in the eye and denouncing their behaviour with a strong, clear voice. | However if it feels like the right thing to do, the group recommends looking them in the eye and denouncing their behaviour with a strong, clear voice. |
| For example you could say "that is not okay" or "don't speak to me like that". | For example you could say "that is not okay" or "don't speak to me like that". |
| What can I do to help? | |
| Ms Ackhurst suggests you should try and speak to the person being harassed rather than the harasser to avoid any escalation. | Ms Ackhurst suggests you should try and speak to the person being harassed rather than the harasser to avoid any escalation. |
| "Often when we use responses that don't engage the harasser it makes them feel powerless and it means they know someone realises what they are doing," she says. | "Often when we use responses that don't engage the harasser it makes them feel powerless and it means they know someone realises what they are doing," she says. |
| She suggests making eye contact with the person being harassed and getting between them and the harasser to interrupt the incident. | She suggests making eye contact with the person being harassed and getting between them and the harasser to interrupt the incident. |
| You can then attempt to talk to the person being harassed, for example by pretending you know them, to further disrupt and de-escalate the incident, she says. | You can then attempt to talk to the person being harassed, for example by pretending you know them, to further disrupt and de-escalate the incident, she says. |
| How to report harassment | How to report harassment |
| "Any harassment that makes you fearful for your safety either in the moment, or afterwards, should be reported," says Mrs Nicholas. | "Any harassment that makes you fearful for your safety either in the moment, or afterwards, should be reported," says Mrs Nicholas. |
| "If you have been harassed or assaulted it is your right to report this to the police. There is often a fear that these incidents will not be taken seriously, but this should not be a barrier to reporting." | "If you have been harassed or assaulted it is your right to report this to the police. There is often a fear that these incidents will not be taken seriously, but this should not be a barrier to reporting." |
| If you are in immediate danger you should call 999 straight away. | If you are in immediate danger you should call 999 straight away. |
| If it is not an emergency you can report the incident to the police by calling 101 or contacting your local force. | If it is not an emergency you can report the incident to the police by calling 101 or contacting your local force. |
| You can also report incidents on public transport to the British Transport Police by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016. | You can also report incidents on public transport to the British Transport Police by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016. |
| If you don't feel comfortable reporting harassment to the police, charities such as Rape Crisis and Rights of Women can provide independent support and help you through the process of reporting the incident if you wish to do so. | If you don't feel comfortable reporting harassment to the police, charities such as Rape Crisis and Rights of Women can provide independent support and help you through the process of reporting the incident if you wish to do so. |