Drinkaware and Unilad fight sexual harassment

Alcohol education charity Drinkaware has teamed up with millennial news and content site Unilad to address the normalisation of sexual harassment amongst young people on nights out.

Drinkaware and Unilad are calling on young people to speak up against sexual harassment on social media

As Fresher’s Week gets underway in universities across the country, Drinkaware and Unilad are calling on young people to speak up against sexual harassment on social media, using #GropeFreeNights in order to shine a spotlight on the issue.

Part of the ‘Wouldn’t Shouldn’t’ campaign, #GropeFreeNights aims to prompt young people to assess their behaviour when drinking and recognise, ‘if you wouldn’t sober, you shouldn’t drunk’.

The goal is to provoke debate and empower young people to reject the permissive culture around sexual harassment on nights out.

Unreleased ICM research carried out for Drinkaware revealed that around 34% of all the 2000 students interviewed, experienced a form of sexual harassment such as inappropriate touching, comments or abuse on a night out.

By the end of the year, the Drinkaware programme will be rolled out across the UK. The aim is to reduce negative experiences related to drunkenness – including anti-social behaviour and sexual harassment.

The team work in bars and clubs to promote a positive social atmosphere, support those who might be vulnerable as a result of drinking too much, and ensure young people get home safely.

Ben Butler, marketing and communications director at Drinkaware said: “We’re excited to be working with Unilad, as the largest platform engaging 18-24 year olds both male and female, no one understands young people better, what makes them tick and how best to reach them. Together we want to disrupt the normalisation of sexual harassment on nights out.”