Sexual Harassment: Breastfeeding, Design and the City

UK sexual harassment and breastfeeding may appear to be two distinct subjects. However, this chapter places these two issues side by side within the public realm and argues that there are noticeable similarities and overlaps. The chapter argues that action and change within the gendered and hypersexualised public realm could lead to gender-related health-promoting and equalising practices. The chapter introduces the role of design and creative practice in challenging conditions underpinning public realm experiences, arguing that there are opportunities for giving form to alternatives. However, while conventional design approaches to ‘solving problems’ may have good intentions, interventionistic methods frequently reinforce systemic violence. Challenges of public sexual harassment and public breastfeeding originate with levels of violence beyond the individual. Therefore, the chapter argues that design and creative practice must reach beyond interventionistic approaches and confront broader and deeper societal and cultural issues. Using the example of CheerUpLuv, a photojournalism campaign by Eliza Hatch, this chapter demonstrates that opportunities and possibilities can come by challenging narratives, shifting power, dismantling myths and disrupting invisible norms.