Young people’s anti-harassment films challenge misogyny
Five powerful films depicting all-too-common types of harassment faced by women and girls, co-produced by Bradford’s Youth Ambassadors and Bradford Council, are to be released next month.
The films support Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin’s #JustDont campaign which has been funded in partnership with West Yorkshire Police and all five West Yorkshire local authorities, including Bradford Council. They have been produced by Bradford Council’s Youth Ambassadors alongside the Council’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence and Safety of Women and Girls Teams.
Each film, shot in locations around the Bradford District, covers a key topic: consent, online abuse, boundary violations, harassment and cat-calling. They also include national statistics on the scale of harassment experienced by young women e.g. 97 per cent of women aged 18-24 have been sexually harassed and 96 per cent did not report these situations (according to UN Women UK).
In each film an incident plays out, then the story is paused, rewound and the victims address the viewer asking how they would feel if this was happening to their sister, daughter, cousin or friend.
The films are aimed at teachers, school leaders, youth workers and professionals who work with young people and will be released along with a free resource pack, produced by Step 2 which provides Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) support and training to schools and professionals, in collaboration with the Young Ambassadors. This is compatible with the secondary school PSHE/RSE curriculum.
The films are being showcased at a special event for professionals on Wednesday, 11 March at the Auditorium at Norcroft Centre, The University of Bradford.
Anisia Boldosan, Youth Ambassador and Co-Director of the Films, said: “Bradford Council’s Youth Ambassadors created these five films to make our voices impossible to ignore.
“Drawing on our own experiences, we wanted to expose the everyday reality of harassment faced by women and girls. We’re raising awareness and calling out harmful behaviours, especially among our peers, because the truth is far too many of us are scared and no woman or girl should ever have to live in fear. We are exceptionally proud of this project and hope it will be used far and wide.”
Cllr Kamran Hussain, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “These short films are very effective and have powerful messages, hitting home the impact of harassment on young women and girls, and that the behaviour portrayed is unacceptable. I am sure they will be a great resource for anyone working with young people.”
Alison Lowe OBE, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Nobody should have to face harassment and abuse, but they are all-too common experiences for women and girls out in public or online.
“That’s why campaigns like these challenging harmful behaviours are so important and it’s great to see Bradford’s young people taking the lead in its development and production. By encouraging everyone to become allies combating misogyny we’ll make West Yorkshire safer for all women and girls.”
Links to the films are below:
Picture below: A still from the ‘Just don’t cat call’ film.
