AN OLDHAM College student has created a hard-hitting poster campaign to challenge street harassment on Greater Manchester’s public transport network.
Sinmi Alli-Balogun's design features on five tram stops in the town, including Freehold, Westwood, Oldham King Street, Oldham Central and Oldham Mumps.
The campaign challenges inappropriate behaviour and encourages people to report sexual harassment and anti-social behaviour via GMP’s Livechat function.
It is part of Greater Manchester’s Safer Streets initiative, a half a million-pound investment in helping women and girls feel safer when travelling in the city-region.
A QR code on the poster takes people to saferstreetsgm.com to find out more about the project.
People can also share their experiences of using public spaces in Greater Manchester and have their say on how to improve safety.
Designs submitted by 23 Oldham College students were judged by a panel made up of representatives from the college, TfGM and Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership.
Sinmi's winning design features a pointing hand with the words ‘No Is No’.
His design will feature on the tram network until the end of March.
Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, said: “It’s important not only that women and girls are safe when on and around our public transport system, but that they feel safe and confident too.
“This campaign, led by Oldham College students, highlights behaviours that make women and girls feel uncomfortable, frightened and threatened and calls on men and boys to change their behaviour and call it out when they see it from others."
Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership Manager, said: “Everyone should be able to safely use and enjoy public transport, but there are some who act in an intimidating and threatening manner towards others, particularly women and girls.
“TravelSafe officers take an enforcement, engagement and education-led approach to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, while also making sure that people feel confident while using the public transport network.
“The Safer Streets programme will enable us to strengthen this work and focus on the safety of women and girls.”
The Safer Streets programme, which is being delivered in partnership by the GMCA, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Oldham Council, will see a number of interventions launched and tested on the tram network and at key stops to respond to the issues raised by women and girls.
If proved successful, the schemes could be rolled at more widely, including beyond transport.
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