REPORT
If this is an emergency and you are in immediate danger you can contact the emergency services by calling 999
Break the Silence, Break the Stigma.
Sometimes talking about PSH can be daunting and is often regarded to be a taboo subject, but we think breaking the silence is the first step to making a difference, on a personal level and on a larger scale.
Reporting can be in any way you see fit - there are lots of different ways we can break the silence surrounding PSH and it is whatever you feel is the most appropriate and comfortable for you.
Who can I report to?
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There are specific platforms dedicated to reporting and recognising the prevalence of PSH that you can find here.
There are also platforms dedicated to testimonies of PSH which you can find on our empower page
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PSH is not currently recognised as a crime and as frustrating as that might be there are other options to reporting. You can still report PSH to the police so they are aware of prevalence of the issue in your area, but we understand that many people may not feel confident reporting to the police. Whatever your response or reaction to PSH, it is valid.
If you believe that you are a victim of a hate crime, you can seek advice on reporting hate crime through the gov.uk website here https://www.gov.uk/report-hate-crime If you believe you are a survivor or victim of sexual assault you can get advice on how to report rape and sexual assault through the gov.uk website here:
https://www.gov.uk/report-rape-sexual-assault You can find support when reporting, or more generally via your local rape crisis centre. These centres often support with all forms of sexual and gender based violence. Find your local rape crisis centre here:
https://rapecrisis.org.uk/find-a-centre/ Check Out #CrimeNotCompliment here and the campaign to make P.S.H a crime in the UK https://www.ourstreetsnow.org/crimenotcompliment
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If you have experienced PSH at a venue or event, we have created email templates in order for you to bring it to the attention of officials at these sites and escalate the situation if you choose to
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Reporting to school can be daunting but your school may be able to provide age-specific support to you from your school counsellor and pastoral team.
Our Schools Now also have resources available here for personal use or they can be forwarded to schools to print off and use.
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Your Student Union should have an advice caseworker who will be able to explain what your university’s protocol is. If PSH has occurred on campus by a student at your university the university should have a process in place for reporting these incidents. Even if your incident happened off campus your union should be able to give you advice on local services you can report to or get support from.
Find our more about PSH and higher education through the Our Streets Now Higher Education Campaign here: https://www.ourstreetsnow.org/higher-education
Talking to Family and Friends
Experiencing PSH can bring up a range of emotions of varying intensity and it is important to have a support system with whom we can talk about what’s happened and how it’s made us feel.
“I’m feeling really unsafe/angry/upset, I would appreciate talking about it”
Conversation Starters
“Something just happened to me, do you have a second to talk about it/listen?”
“I think I’ve just experienced PSH and I’m feeling _____”
Not talking about public sexual harassment can mean we internalise these experiences and let them limit us and how we navigate the world. This silence can also allow for this behaviour to continue unchallenged. Speaking up, even if it is just to people in your circle, can be a huge step in the right direction and allow us to break the silence that PSH thrives in.