Campaign aims to stop harassment in street

Published on 05/09/2012 12:00

A GROUP of Edinburgh activists is to launch a new campaign to stop the harassment of women and gay people in the street.

Organisers say Hollaback! Edinburgh – part of a worldwide campaign on the issue – will map people’s experiences of street harassment and work to raise awareness with police, MSPs and councillors.

Activities will include a launch party tomorrow, campaigns around Christmas and Valentines Day, and workshops and awareness-raising around next year’s festivals.

Hollaback! Edinburgh co-ordinator Ellie Hutchinson said: “Street 
harassment isn’t flattering or in any way welcome. It is often intimidating and can prevent women and LGBT people from living their lives with the freedom that any person should reasonably be able to expect.

“Edinburgh is a great city with an international reputation and we’re excited to be joining the international Hollaback! campaign. Our city has so much to offer and we want to add freedom from street harassment to that list.”

Samantha Rankin, of the Equality Network, said: “Many LGBT people experience harassment on the streets and our stories are often not told.”