Messages of solidarity with victims of sexual harassment have been placed in prominent places on Nottingham Trent University’s city campus.
Pictures shared on social media showed various posters have been placed across the campus, including on pillars directly outside the Nottingham Trent Students Union building on Goldsmith Street.
Keren Harding, who posted the photos on Facebook, said it is “amazing” to see the message of solidarity surrounding female experiences of harassment.
She said: “In light of the tragic murder of Sarah Everard, so many horrendous incidents of harassment and intimidation of female students have been circulating among the student population.
“It’s terrifying that so many of us feel unsafe even walking between University and our accommodation, solely because we are women.
“These statements of solidarity have appeared around NTU campus; it is a small sentiment but offers a glimmer of hope that one day, the message might sink in.”
The posters – which display messages such as “you shouldn’t have to ‘imagine it was your mum or sister’ to be respectful to women” and “women are not your property and never will be” – can be found near the Arboretum, as well as outside the NTSU offices.
Sarah Ward, a third-year journalism student, said the posters were “incredibly impactful” due to their location in public spaces.
She said: “The streets, for women, can be such a scary place on your own sometimes, but I think that these serve as a lovely reminder that our fear is being acknowledged now.
“What I hope they’ll do is just remind people how we feel as a woman, but also how common it is to feel scared about walking home on your own or to go on a night out with your friends and be touched inappropriately.”
Sarah continued to explain that issues of sexual harassment have become “so common that most people aren’t shocked by the stories or statistics”.
She concluded: “More definitely needs to be done, but I think the posters do a great job at bringing more attention to the issue so that more people can acknowledge it rather than just women fighting it alone.”
By Matt Lee
Lead Image: Keren Harding