Powerful new poem challenges harassment of women in Liverpool

A powerful new spoken-word piece titled “Man to Man” has been launched by Merseyside Police calling on men to prevent street harassment and help make our communities safer for women and girls.

Released as part of Merseyside Police and the Police Commissioner’s ongoing ‘Taking Action’ campaign to tackle Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), the compelling poem delivers an uncompromising message: it’s time for men to step up, think about their behaviour and lead the change.

To make the message resonate even more, the campaign enlisted local poet Joseph Roberts to write and perform the poem. His authentic voice and connection to Merseyside bring a powerful and relatable perspective to the piece. “Man to Man” uses raw honesty and evocative language to highlight the impact of harmful behaviours and inspire a cultural shift toward safety of women and girls in the places they live, work and socialise.

A survey conducted by Merseyside Police to inform the Taking Action campaign showed:

• 71% of women live in fear of a sexual assault and 60% of being stalked
• 29% of women often felt unsafe and 57% sometimes felt unsafe in public places in Merseyside
• 89% of women avoid streets or areas they consider unsafe and 78% cross the road to avoid men 
• 70% of women let people know when they start and end their journey
• 42% choose not to go out in the dark to avoid feeling unsafe

Women and girls should be able to go about their daily lives without worrying about being sexually harassed, assaulted or raped. Sadly, for far too many women that’s not their reality.

Men can make a real difference and help to create safer environments by taking a hard look at their attitudes and behaviour, at home, at work and socialising with mates.

This campaign speaks directly to men, urging them to take responsibility and call out unacceptable behaviour wherever they see it.

To mark the launch, Joseph performed live pop-up performance cross Liverpool city centre today, including in Lime Street Station, on Church Street and in Liverpool ONE bringing the message straight to men on the streets.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:

 “Far too many women still face harassment, abuse and misogyny in their daily lives – on the streets, on public transport and in public spaces.

“This is completely unacceptable. We must challenge the behaviours that cause fear and harm. We can only change things for the better when men are part of the solution.

“That’s why we decided to take a unique approach with our campaign. Joseph is well known on Merseyside and can speak ‘man to man’ to his peers, encouraging them to challenge harmful attitudes, call out unacceptable behaviour, and lead by example.

“In some cases, it’s also about encouraging men to take a long, hard look at their own behaviour and think about what they can do differently.

“Every man has the power to make a difference and make our region feel safer for every woman and girl.”

Chief Constable, Rob Carden, Merseyside Police said: 

“Every woman and girl should feel safe going about their daily lives, but sadly that’s not the reality for many.

“Changing this isn’t just about policing it’s about shifting mindsets.

“Men have a vital role to play by questioning their own attitudes and behaviours, whether that’s at home, in the workplace, or when out with friends. This campaign is about starting honest conversations and encouraging men to lead the change for safer streets and communities.”

Joseph Roberts said:

“I wanted to write something that speaks directly to men here in Merseyside and wanted to make it feel real and personal. Street harassment isn’t just happening somewhere else; it’s happening on our streets. This poem is about challenging that culture and encouraging men to take responsibility.”

The poem will be featured in a short video that combines spoken word with striking visuals, amplifying its message across social media and community platforms. The campaign aims to spark dialogue, empower bystanders, and encourage reporting of harassment.

This initiative follows the success of similar campaigns by other police forces, such as “Don’t Be That Guy”, which challenged men to rethink harmful behaviours. However, Man to Man takes a localised approach, speaking directly to men across Merseyside and reflecting the unique character and community spirit of the region.

Marking the international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, today’s event builds on the launch of the Myth vs Fact campaign which focused on ripping apart the dangerous lies about rape and serious sexual offences.

Released to mark Elimination of VAWG Day on 25^th November, the campaign visibly tears away the harmful myths that shield perpetrators and silence victims – and replaces them with the truth.

Find the full poem on the Merseyside Police YouTube channel. 

Find out about the other work Merseyside Police does here. 

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