Barking and Dagenham’s updated Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) introduces fines for sexual harassment, including catcalling. With doubts about enforcement, anonymous accounts of daily harassment, and calls for broader cultural change, are these measures meaningful or merely symbolic?
Barking Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “PSPOs play a huge role in reducing antisocial behaviour in our hotspot areas. And as part of the renewal, we know how important it was to include sexual harassment to help improve women’s safety.”
With 444 women and girls recently surveyed, 15% had experienced verbal abuse, 11% had experienced men invading their personal space, and a further 11% had been followed.
‘A chargeable offence sends a strong message to public offenders’
Farah Naz, the aunt of Zara Aleena, who was sexually assaulted and murdered in East London in 2022, supports the law, but believes there are still many changes needed. Naz explains that she wishes to see a cultural shift with education and legislation both needed to tackle violence towards women.
For someone like Naz, who has been directly affected, it’s important women feel they are being taken care of by their local authorities. When reflecting on her personal experience, Naz believes “that when a public service is overburdened, it leaves holes and these holes can be exploited by criminals that can ruin lives.”
Regarding the new law, she “hopes it will be an effective deterrent, but this issue needs a lot more than a fine.”
‘A fine is just a slap on the wrist’
Estella Adeyeri, Communications Coordinator for Good Night Out Campaign, highlighted the wider concerns of this new legislation. The Good Night Out Campaign strives for safer nightlife and helps victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Adeyeri believes it would be difficult to see if it would be an effective deterrent, stating “a lot of women lack confidence in the police.”
Adeyeri echoes that she “doesn’t think (the new law) would stop people doing it (sexual harassment), as the people who do this already know these are criminal activities and it hasn’t prevented them so far.”
‘A friend of mine was touched on the bus, as a man touched himself’
Women who were interviewed about their experience, wish to remain anonymous because they do not want to be stigmatised and draw attention to themselves.
Sharing their direct experiences of sexual harassment in London, they don’t believe it’s taken seriously by the police and that (as women) they accept they will be harassed at some point.
All those who gave comment want to see more success stories of people being punished, as it would then provide more motivation and impetus to report these crimes.
Ongoing issues
A recent investigation by the BBC found that the Ask for Angela initiative, a project that aims to provide a discreet lifeline for women in danger, is failing.
Derek Daniel, manager of The Boathouse Pub in Barking, says, “we implement the Ask for Angela and Ask for Clive, where we can take clients out a private exit and attain to them there.”
George David, manager of The Acorn Pub in Barking, reiterates this message by stating, “the members of society who harass women are not welcome here.”
This week two Met Police Officers, Jerome Beasley and Luke Robinson, were charged with sexually assaulting a woman while off duty.
The issue of sexual harassment and violence towards women is an ongoing battle.
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HeadlineEast London Borough takes a stand against sexual harassment with £1,000 fines for catcalling
Short Headline£1,000 fine for catcalling in East London
StandfirstNew laws introduced to protect women in London from harassment
Barking and Dagenham’s updated Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) introduces fines for sexual harassment, including catcalling. With doubts about enforcement, anonymous accounts of daily harassment, and calls for broader cultural change, are these measures meaningful or merely symbolic?
Barking Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “PSPOs play a huge role in reducing antisocial behaviour in our hotspot areas. And as part of the renewal, we know how important it was to include sexual harassment to help improve women’s safety.”
With 444 women and girls recently surveyed, 15% had experienced verbal abuse, 11% had experienced men invading their personal space, and a further 11% had been followed.
‘A chargeable offence sends a strong message to public offenders’
Farah Naz, the aunt of Zara Aleena, who was sexually assaulted and murdered in East London in 2022, supports the law, but believes there are still many changes needed. Naz explains that she wishes to see a cultural shift with education and legislation both needed to tackle violence towards women.
For someone like Naz, who has been directly affected, it’s important women feel they are being taken care of by their local authorities. When reflecting on her personal experience, Naz believes “that when a public service is overburdened, it leaves holes and these holes can be exploited by criminals that can ruin lives.”
Regarding the new law, she “hopes it will be an effective deterrent, but this issue needs a lot more than a fine.”
‘A fine is just a slap on the wrist’
Estella Adeyeri, Communications Coordinator for Good Night Out Campaign, highlighted the wider concerns of this new legislation. The Good Night Out Campaign strives for safer nightlife and helps victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Adeyeri believes it would be difficult to see if it would be an effective deterrent, stating “a lot of women lack confidence in the police.”
Adeyeri echoes that she “doesn’t think (the new law) would stop people doing it (sexual harassment), as the people who do this already know these are criminal activities and it hasn’t prevented them so far.”
‘A friend of mine was touched on the bus, as a man touched himself’
Women who were interviewed about their experience, wish to remain anonymous because they do not want to be stigmatised and draw attention to themselves.
Sharing their direct experiences of sexual harassment in London, they don’t believe it’s taken seriously by the police and that (as women) they accept they will be harassed at some point.
All those who gave comment want to see more success stories of people being punished, as it would then provide more motivation and impetus to report these crimes.
Ongoing issues
A recent investigation by the BBC found that the Ask for Angela initiative, a project that aims to provide a discreet lifeline for women in danger, is failing.
Derek Daniel, manager of The Boathouse Pub in Barking, says, “we implement the Ask for Angela and Ask for Clive, where we can take clients out a private exit and attain to them there.”
George David, manager of The Acorn Pub in Barking, reiterates this message by stating, “the members of society who harass women are not welcome here.”
This week two Met Police Officers, Jerome Beasley and Luke Robinson, were charged with sexually assaulting a woman while off duty.
The issue of sexual harassment and violence towards women is an ongoing battle.
