A CAMPAIGN to tackle the sexual harassment of young people in the streets has been launched by a Poole teenager. 

Annabel Hodges, 16, has launched a ‘Catcalls of BCP’ campaign in the UK Youth Parliament, an initiative to elect young people aged 11-18 who want to bring about social change. 

The campaign encourages people who have been subjected to unwanted attention on the streets of BCP to fill out a form detailing their negative experience as well as any affect it had on them. 

Annabel, from Parkstone, said: “Sexualisation of women, particularly young girls, is normalised and I am committed to changing this in our area. 

Bournemouth Echo:

“I want to educate people on the impact of street harassment and encourage them to call out their friends on unacceptable behaviour so that early inappropriate harassment can be targeted.” 

On Thursday, September 14, experiences of harassment was etched onto the concrete of sites across Bournemouth using chalk to spread awareness. 

“I really admire Chalk Back’s work and think chalking can be a powerful tool,” Annabel added. 

“Legally, it’s rarely possible to decorate public spaces, so I would like to thank BCP Council and South Western Trains for their continued support in enabling us to do so.” 

Bournemouth Echo:

Figures last year from the Office of National Statistics suggest that 27 per cent of women have experienced sexual harassment in the UK, compared to 16 per cent of men. 

A focus group of 10 volunteers aged 11-19 ‘chalked’ at Bournemouth railway station before moving on to the Triangle and finally the Square.  

Kelly Ansell, director of communities at BCP Council, said: “The Catcalls of BCP movement aims to help empower young people and reaffirm the message that catcalling and any other form of sexual harassment is unwelcomed and unaccepted in our area. 

“This is a really powerful, valuable initiative and one which the council is proud to be a part of.” 

Cllr Kieron Wilson, portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, added: “Any form of harassment on our streets is unacceptable and addressing the issues around violence against women and girls, including street based harassment, is one of the key priorities for the BCP Community Safety Partnership.”