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Sexual harassment of women and girls in public places

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Public space

Scope of the inquiry

Following the emergence of widespread allegations in the UK and US about sexual assault and harassment across a wide range of sectors, the Committee held a one off evidence session on women's experiences of everyday sexism in December 2017, which led to a more broad inquiry into sexual harassment in public spaces.

Sexual harassment has different definitions but in the Equality Act 2010 it is defined as "unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment".

The Committee is not focusing on workplaces in this inquiry, although it understands that there are connections between the experiences of women and girls in different areas of life. However, a one off evidence session on sexual harassment in the workplace was held on 31st January 2018. The Committee is interested in how age, ethnicity, sexuality and other characteristics affect women's experiences.

The Committee recognises that anyone can be a perpetrator or victim of sexual harassment. In this inquiry, however, the focus is on sexual harassment of women and girls and its connections to gender inequality. We are also interested in how age, ethnicity, sexuality and other characteristics affect women's experiences. 

 

Oral evidence session: Wednesday 27th June 2018

Committee

Evidence given by:

  • Dr Geetanjali Gangoli, Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol
  • Hareem Ghani, Women’s Officer, National Union of Students
  • Yvonne Hawkins, Director of teaching excellence and student experience, Office for Students.

followed by:

  • Detective Inspector Ash Cooper, British Transport Police
  • Dr Jackie Gray, Associate Professor in Forensic Psychology, Middlesex University
  • Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive, Drinkaware
  • Anton Walden, Licensing Officer, Canterbury City Council.

 

To watch the latest evidence session in full please click here

To read the full transcript of the latest session please click here

 

Oral evidence session: Wednesday 6th June 2018

Committee

Evidence given by:

  • David Austin, Chief Executive Officer, British Board of Film Classification
  • Dr Maddy Coy, University of Florida; Professor Clare McGlynn, University of Durham
  • Melanie Phillips, Commentator, The Times.

To watch the latest evidence session in full please click here

To read the full transcript of the latest session please click here

 

Oral evidence session: Wednesday 2nd May 2018

comittee

Evidence given by:

  • David Alton, Hate Crime Manager, Nottinghamshire Police
  • Marai Larasi OBE, Director, Imkaan
  • Dr Fiona Vera-Gray, Durham University

followed by:

  • Gary Barker, Chief Executive Officer, Promundo (via video link)

Questions by Philip Davies MP

Q30            Philip Davies: Can you tell us what you define as the low-level sexual harassment that is not called out but you think should be called out?

Marai Larasi: Somebody might be sitting on the tube, for example, and staring at a woman for an extended period of time. She might find that completely intimidating, but for him that might be completely normal behaviour. For me, that might not be low level in terms of an experience— it might be really problematic and harmful in terms of the woman’s experience—but it might be hugely difficult to think about as a crime.

To watch the latest evidence session in full please click here

To read the full transcript of the latest session please click here

In Parliament

  • In Pictures
  • Speeches in Parliament
  • Westminster Hall Debates
  • Written Parliamentary Questions
  • Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee

Status of this inquiry

public places inquiry

This inquiry has now concluded and the full report can be read here

Oral evidence: 13th June 2018

Committee

Evidence given by:

  • Karon Monaghan QC, Matrix Chambers
  • Dr Purna Sen, Director of Policy, UN Women

To watch the evidence session in full please click here

The full transcript of the session can be found here

 

Oral evidence: 6th December 2017

Committee inquiry

Scope of the inquiry
The Women and Equalities Committee is to consider the issue of sexism and sexual harassment faced by women, including why it happens, what the impact is and how to prevent it.

The Committee will want to understand: 

  • The evidence about women's experiences of a sexist culture and sexual harassment
  • The causes of sexual harassment and how it links to a sexist culture
  • The legal and policy framework for tackling it
  • How to prevent sexual harassment from happening.

To watch the evidence session in full please click here

The full transcript of the session can be found here

    Help and support

    If you would like support about sexual harassment or other sexual abuse you may wish to contact a specialist support service such as:

    • Rape Crisis England and Wales for local support services
    • National Rape Crisis helpline 0808 802 9999
    • The Survivors Trust
    • Male survivors partnership  

    For advice relating to sexual harassment in the workplace, you can contact:

    • The Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS)
    • Acas
    • Citizens Advice

    Committees of the House of Commons are not able to take up individual cases but if you would like to discuss what action is being taken locally on these issues you may wish to contact the following:

    • your local Member of Parliament
    • Local Authority
    • Police and Crime Commissioner

    Philip Davies MP Member of Parliament for the Shipley Constituency

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