VICTIMS of street harassment will be given support by a dedicated team at the University of Hull.
International organisation Hollaback! has launched a local branch to help those who have suffered from abuse of any kind on the streets.
It is dedicated to ending sexual harassment of women and other forms of abuse suffered by people in the community.
International research shows that between 70 to 99 per cent of women experience street harassment at some point in their lives, according to the organisation.
That can range from wolf whistling, leering and crude comments made by passers-by to flashing and sexual assault. The new branch at the Cottingham Road university aims to raise awareness about students' experience of sexual harassment, whether on campus or in the city.
Juliette Sanchez-Lambert, Holla- back! Hull University site co-leader, said: "Hollaback is here to talk about sexual harassment, so people understand it is not OK, perpetrators are stopped and victims have somewhere to share their experience and feel less alone."
The branch is being run by a team of local community leaders who will work online and offline to give a voice and support to victims of street and sexual harassment.
Hollaback is now in 79 cities and 26 countries, with leaders speaking more than 14 different languages.
The branch will run a local blog and help the student community through advocacy, community partnerships and direct action.
In addition to the University of Hull branch, other sites launched this month include in the Bahamas, Bristol, Cleveland, Columbus, East Lansing, Marrakesh and Plattsburgh.
Debjani Roy, deputy director of Hollaback!, said: "The newly launched sites are led by some of the most dynamic, inspiring and committed activists in the world, who are paving the way by raising awareness and taking action around the issue of street harassment in their communities.
"With the launch of every new site, we are sending the message that street harassment is a problem that we can, and will, collectively end."
A dedicated website has been set up for the University of Hull branch.
Students and other members of the community are invited to visit the site and share their stories.
They will also be informed of any news and events, and there is support and advice offered online for anyone who feels they have been a victim of such harassment.
Visit hulluniversity.ihollaback.org for further information or to get in touch.
Examples from Hollaback! supportersWhen my friend and I were 13, we were walking back to my house from a fast food restaurant. We had entered a fairly nice neighbourhood and were minding our own business when we hear "damn!" And we turn and there's a group of 4 guys who looked to be 17, cat calling us, and just making lewd comments. After hearing enough, I turned around and flipped them off, telling them that if they didn't shut up, they'd be getting this finger somewhere else. It's amazing to see how young this behaviour starts.I was walking with two friends. I was wearing a dress. I heard a male voice behind me say that he loved the dress and I ignored him. He followed my friends and I further into the store and kept saying "hey you in the dress," but I ignored him. Finally I without looking told him to **** off. He started being like "**** off, all I wanted to do was compliment you!!!" I turned around at that and he looked physically threatening so I walked with my friends further into the store. The store was crowded, there were employees everywhere but no one said a thing.