Our Story

It began with a conversation

Back in 2019, two sisters - Gemma and Maya, ages just 15 and 21 - shared with each other how they experienced the world as young women. They spoke about feeling afraid walking home at night. About being harassed in their school uniform. About how their lives were restricted by the fear of public sexual harassment. And about how this was an everyday reality for millions of women, girls and people of marginalised genders up and down the country.

It led to a movement. 

They began a petition to make public sexual harassment a criminal offence. Within 100 days, that petition had over 100,000 signatures. It now sits at almost half a million. It caught the attention of local media, then national media, then policymakers at the heart of government. And, in 2023, the five year campaign to make PSH a crime was a success. 

Read more about our stances here. 

“The bill is a good starting point, and a step in the right direction, but there is still more work to be done. Legal change alone will not end this problem - we also need cultural change across the UK, which is why we are working with councils, schools, universities and sports professionals to raise awareness of PSH, educate young people on its impact and ultimately work towards prevention. Justice is important, but prevention is paramount”
— Gemma Tutton, Co-founder

Where we are now

Since its inception, we have grown beyond two people into an organisation affecting high impact change on public sexual harassment. We educate on the causes, impacts and solutions to harassment, drive community action through impactful awareness campaigns and advocate for stronger policies and laws. Our current pillars of work are schools, universities and sports. 

As an organisation our aim will always be to end public sexual harassment and to do this we work collectively, find out more about our team here.

young girl holding a iPhone
“I’ve never been more proud to work with such an amazing group of volunteers. Everyone has such passion for the cause and such a dedication to continued learning.

I feel like we’re always reflecting on how we can improve, grow and do our best to be part of ending public sexual harassment”
— Charli Keely, Our Streets Now: Core Member

What we’ve achieved so far

A woman with long red hair wearing a pink floral outfit holding a star-shaped award in front of a red backdrop with event logos.

Our Streets Now #CrimeNotCompliment Campaign, wins the SMK Young Campaigner Award (2024)

A woman in black holding a trophy stands on stage in front of a colorful sign that reads "UN UK Awards 2023 Women."

Georgia Theodoulou wins the UN Women ‘Safer Spaces Award’ (2023)

A woman with red hair is speaking on stage at a seminar or conference, holding a microphone. Another woman with long brown hair is sitting in the audience, watching. The stage has a backdrop with campaign signs, one of which reads "OUR STREETS NOW" and features illustrations of women holding signs advocating for safety and equality for girls and children.

The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill passed (2023)

Person holding a smartphone that displays a support website with the message "You're not alone". In the background, there are people and a pink table.

Streetworthy Youth Campaign Begins (2022)

Two women wearing white T-shirts with a logo and the words 'Understand, React, Prevent' stand in front of a screen displaying a poster creation activity. One woman has short red hair and the other has long dark hair. They are smiling.

Our Streets Now began work in Swindon (2022)

A woman giving a presentation in front of a whiteboard with a slide titled "Why does this continue to be a problem?" She is wearing glasses, a white T-shirt with pink and purple graphics, and striped black and white pants. The slide displays three speech bubbles discussing challenges related to speaking up about certain issues and linking to a wider culture of inequality and prejudice.

Our Streets Now began delivering programmes in schools (2022)

A young woman with braided hair and a light sweater standing in front of a brick wall, smiling. Overlay text quotes her about harassment and exercising on the streets, age 18 from Atlanta. Logos for 'Plan International' and 'Our Streets Now' appear at the bottom, along with hashtag #CrimeNotCompliment.

#CrimeNotCompliment Campaign and Collaboration with PlanUK (2021)

Group of women at a protest holding signs, with one sign featuring a raised fist inside a female gender symbol against a blue background.

Higher Education & Our Schools Now Campaigns Launch (2021)

Two young women standing on a brick street with autumn foliage behind them. One wears a denim jacket, light jeans, and a maroon top, and the other wears glasses, a black leather jacket, a white top, and blue jeans. They have serious expressions.

Maya & Gemma start Our Streets Now!