Prevention ‘not optional but urgent’

Unite delegate Lesley Mansell gave a poignant speech in support of a composite on violence against women and girls on Monday (September 29).

Lesley said that despite the hard work and advances that have been made over the years in the struggle against violence against women and girls, progress has been stalled by Tory austerity cuts.

“And shockingly, numbers are rising”, she said.

As an NHS worker, Lesley highlighted sobering statistics showing the level of violence and harassment that many working in the health service face – for example, the one in 10 who report sexual harassment in work, or the 1 in 7 staff who face physical violence from patients, relatives, or the public.

“A recent Unite survey of all our female members found a quarter had been sexually assaulted, and 8 per cent subjected to sexual coercion at work,” she noted, adding, “We all have a role to play.  We need to change the culture again.”

Lesley spoke of the importance of acknowledging that this behaviour is “rooted in harmful masculine norms — men’s attitudes and behaviours that cause fear and violence”.

“We need education for men and boys on respect and dignity,” she went on to say, emphasising the need for this to be embedded in the school curriculum as well as in our workplaces.

She highlighted the importance too of tackling violent misogyny online and on our streets.

“Bring back union initiatives to protect women and girls against violence and abuse,” Lesley went on. “As Yvette has said this morning, we need more action as internationally, the picture is no different.”

She told how Unite member working in international aid charities have reported aid funding cuts which “are devastating women’s services world-wide, with many vital services closing down”.

“Let’s give violence against women and girls a national visibility,” Lesley concluded. “Let’s have dedicated awareness around this — embedding issues in the school curriculum and ensuring every council and community treats prevention not as optional but as urgent.”

By Hajera Blagg

Photo by Mark Thomas