Fighting harassment and violence against women in Liverpool

#TakingAction campaigns and policing initiatives focus on improving safety for women across Merseyside.

Transcript

00:00In Liverpool, only around 7% of people believe wolf whistling should be a criminal offence.

00:0635% support making it illegal to keep talking after being told to stop,

00:10and 59% think deliberately blocking someone's way should lead to prosecution.

00:16Merseyside police have used plainclothes patrols in the city centre and around Sefton Park

00:21to monitor harassment hotspots. Community organisations are calling for better

00:26reporting systems, saying many women avoid certain streets rather than flag problems to police.

00:32A recent pilot scheme elsewhere where undercover officers in running gear

00:36quickly faced abuse suggests harassment is more widespread than official figures show.

00:41Liverpool City Council has signed up local businesses to a women's safety charter,

00:46encouraging staff in bars and gyms to watch for intimidating behaviour.

00:50Some believe education and community outreach are as important as new laws,

00:55while others argue formal offences would make it clear harassment will not be tolerated.