Public Sexual Harassment is now a standalone crime
The law has changed.
Now the culture must.
From April 1st, 2026, the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act has commenced.
BUT ENDING THE NORMALISATION OF PUBLIC SEXUAL HARASSMENT NEEDS CULTURE CHANGE. IT NEEDS EDUCATION.
‘SMILE!’
How often have we heard that cry? From inside a van, from a man across the street, or a comment on a photo?
For many girls, that one word carries a memory. One that they can’t shake. It follows them as they change their route to school, pick out their outfit for the day, or even makes them alter their behaviour altogether.
But enough is enough. We must end the normalisation of public sexual harassment.
1 in 3 girls experience public sexual harassment before they turn 13 (Plan International UK). And the way to changing the culture is by prevention through education.
‘Smile!’ is part of that work, raising awareness of the workshops we run that equip young people to:
Recognise harmful norms
Understand consent and boundaries
Challenge misogyny
Build safer peer cultures
How can you help?
Sign up to our workshops
Whether you’re at school, are in university, a sports clubs or at your workplace, we have a workshop for you!
Sign up to our workshops and we’ll send our expert facilitators in to run an interactive to spot public sexual harassment, and how to play a part in ending it.
Download our resources: can’t fit in a workshop just yet? We have free, downloadable resources to help you change the culture yourself.
Support the Movement
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GET INVOLVED, FOR EXAMPLE
FOLLOW US: Help us get the message out there and the work that we do at Our Streets Now to end public sexual harassment in the UK. Follow our socials:
Instagram: @ourstreetsnow
LinkedIn: Our Streets Now
TikTok: @ourstreetsnowuk
PARTNER WITH US: We cannot end public sexual harassment alone, if you’re interested in making change with us email us on hello@ourstreetsnow.org
SHARE YOUR STORY: In 5 years of campaigning, we have collected testimony to ensure survivors are always centred in our work. You can share your testimony here
DONATE: There are so many ways to support us, and donation is just one of those ways to ensure we can continue our work. You can donate here.
