London Mayoral Candidate Oona King writes Street Harassment into her Policy!

In London, Vicki Simister from the LASH campaign has been meeting with policy makers for Oona King (pictured here). King is running for Mayor in the 2012 election - and has recently promised to write street harassment into her policy! To our knowledge, this is the first time that street harassment has become a major campaign issue. This tremendous leadership is incredible for London, but it is also a model for how street harassment can be addressed in other cities. Her policy even proclaims that street harassment is a "gateway to more serious forms of violence," something that we've been shouting off the rooftops for years now. Reading policy has never made us swoon more: "Commission Police reports across the capital about the extent of street harassment, and include it within anti-social behaviour programmes" The policy also says: "Taking street harassment seriously Street harassment is a regular occurrence for women in London, but is barely mentioned in government policy in the past. It is completely unacceptable that women should be expected to put up with casual intimidation, from unwanted sexual comments to being followed or even groped, simply as a result of going out in public. It is also likely that this behaviour acts as a gateway to more serious forms of violence, and so we simply cannot afford to let it go unchallenged. The Mayor should promote a culture in which street harassment is recognised as unacceptable, and women do not have to suffer it in silence. Working with police, boroughs and Transport for London, effective action should include: • Ensuring that local authorities recognise sexual harassment as a from of violence against women, and incorporate it into their training and policies • Identifying London’s “harassment hotspots” and putting more police and community support officers where they are needed • Coordinating a poster campaign to challenge this form of behaviour and encourage women to report it • Establishing best practice in police responses, including consistent monitoring and enforcement where there is evidence of persistent harassment • Working with local councils and community groups to ensure consensus on the unacceptability of street harassment" Kudos to Vicki from the LASH campaign for making this happen!