Sir Keir Starmer has visited a Greenwich school to announce a new initiative to tackle Male Violence Against Women and Girls, following the Council’s pioneering new film to shine a light on the untold impact it can have.
The Prime Minister met students from St Mary Magdalene’s on Wednesday, 17 December to explain the need for greater education for young boys and men to tackle the root of misogynistic views and violence.
Joined by Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips MP and the Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Anthony Okereke, they spoke to young people ahead of announcing new measures to give teachers specialist training in tackling issues early.
It comes just days after the council held a premier for Red, a film exploring male violence against women and girls through modern retelling of Red Riding Hood, which has been created with the experiences of local young people at the centre.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, the Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “It’s everyone’s job to call out misogyny and work together to tackle male violence against women and girls. In Greenwich we are doing a lot of work in this area, including Red which is the first film of its kind. The Prime Minister has recognised the steps we are taking, which also includes new investment in education as part of our Getting Things Done programme. We'll continue to be at the centre of this conversation, as the safety of women and girls is our priority.”
In Greenwich we run a number of outreach and education programmes in primary and secondary schools to address negative and misogynistic attitudes.
We are one of the only local authorities to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), making inappropriate sexual or gender-based abuse in public spaces into a fineable offence.
The next step is the publication of our Working Together to End Male Violence Against Women and Girls’ Strategy in the new year.
