A NEW celebrity-endorsed campaign that encourages men to call out sexual harassment and misogynistic behaviour when they see it has launched.

'Do the Right Thing', initiated by Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, aims to give men advice on how to identify such behaviour and give them the confidence to tackle it.

Across the county posters in train stations and supermarkets, as well as beer mats in Wetherspoons and Harveys pubs, will include a QR code pointing to a website with a video about the campaign, as well as offering bystander intervention training.

The campaign is backed by Fatboy Slim, actor John Simm, cricketer Tymal Mills and author Peter James.

Ms Bourne said: “The aim of my Do the Right Thing campaign is to encourage all men to challenge their friends and colleagues who may cross the line.

"Perhaps your friend has shared an explicit photo, or wolf whistled at a woman on a night out. These things may seem harmless or a bit of fun, but I would encourage anyone to consider how they would feel if the target of that attention was their partner, sister or mother.

“The vast majority of men would never condone or carry out such behaviours but there are still a distressing number who do and I know from a recent survey that women and girls across our county want to see the onus to tackle misogyny and sexual harassment placed on men.

“We all have a responsibility to call out misogyny, violence and abuse but that’s not always easy and some may lack the confidence to take that first step. Part of the campaign will be offering free bystander training, enabling participants to recognise these behaviours and understand their impacts, as well as learn and practice safe ways to challenge them."

Sussex cricket player Tymal Mills, who stars in the campaign, said that while it can be hard to call others out, especially if they are friends, it is important to challenge unacceptable behaviour to make women and girls feel safe.

He said: "Doing the right thing doesn't have to mean making a big deal. Just having a quiet word to remind someone of how they might be making someone feel can make a huge difference.

A video produced for the campaign asks men what they would do if their mate made a rape joke or there is a "creep" on a night out, and encourages them to "get the message, get educated, and tell them 'that's not on'."

Superintendent Steve Rayland, head of Sussex Police public protection command said that violence against women and girls is a "societal problem that cannot be addressed by police alone."

He said: "This fresh call to men to recognise unacceptable attitudes and behaviour in themselves and those around them is very welcome and has the potential to keep women safer."

The campaign comes during the United Nations' annual '16 Days of Activism' against gender-based violence, which concludes on December 10.

Resources for the campaign can be found at safespacesussex.org.uk/do-the-right-thing.

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