Redbridge Council launches ThisHasToStop campaign to challenge sexist behaviour
Published: 1 March 2023
Redbridge Council has redoubled its commitment to tackling violence against women and girls by launching ThisHasToStop, a multi-year initiative to challenge sexist behaviour.
The programme aims to end the harassment and abuse of women and girls, making it clear that in Redbridge, there is ‘No place for abuse’.
Informed by the experiences of local women and backed up by research into what works, the campaign encompasses a wide-ranging programme, including projects with schools, community groups, service providers and businesses.
The work, which is based on behavioural insights, is designed to disrupt and counter the actions of perpetrators, enlist and equip bystanders, and contribute to culture change across the borough.
The ThisHasToStop campaign builds on the previous work of the independent Redbridge Community Crime Commission, which reviewed community safety, crime, and fear of crime across the borough, before setting out recommendations to make Redbridge safer and improve lives locally. Improving the safety of women and girls was one of the Commission’s top priorities.
Work is already underway across the borough to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour and make Redbridge a safer place to live, work and visit. In November last year, Redbridge became the first council in the country to use its Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to enforce against catcalling and street harassment – making it clear to offenders that the abuse must end.
In addition, the Council has organised Women’s Safety Walks, empowering local women to report areas where they feel unsafe so measures can be put in place to increase Police and Enforcement patrols and improve street environments with additional lighting and CCTV.
The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said “Redbridge is our home and we all deserve to feel safe on our streets. That’s why we’ve listened to thousands of women and girls across our borough, taken on board their feedback, and put in place measures to end street harassment, abuse and sexism.
“The ThisHasToStop campaign is one step in our fight against the sexist behaviour that leads to harassment and violence. We are being clear to offenders that Redbridge is no place for abuse.”
Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Crime, Safety and Community Cohesion, said: “In Redbridge, we are taking a stand and tackling the sexist behaviour that can escalate into violence and makes women and girls feel unsafe going about their lives.
“The Council is taking practical steps to improve street lighting, cut back overgrown areas, and ensure more police and enforcement officers are patrolling our streets. But we want change to be faster and more profound. From now on, anyone who harasses women on the street can expect legal enforcement – with a fine of up to £1000. ThisHasToStop!”
Throughout this year, as part of the Redbridge ThisHasToStop campaign, more interventions will be rolled out to make the borough safer and take the message directly where it’s needed – challenging violence and everyday sexism wherever it occurs.
