Hollyoaks Nikki Sanderson calls for an end to sexual harassment

Hollyoaks’ Nikki Sanderson calls for an end to sexual harassment of women as she leads a new campaign

Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson has called for an end to abuse and sexual harassment of women on the street.

The 38-year-old actress has opened up about how people are pulling together to “put an end to this” in society as she leads a new Home Office campaign to prevent more killings like those of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa.

It comes as Nikki, who plays Maxine Minniver on the Channel 4 soap, is set to take on a starring role in a special Hollyoaks episode titled The Long Walk Home, which details her character’s anxiety when she dies on a night of being separated from her friends.

Speaking of which: Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson has called for an end to abuse and sexual harassment of women on the street (pictured on Hollyoaks)

Speaking of which: Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson has called for an end to abuse and sexual harassment of women on the street (pictured on Hollyoaks)

Speaking to ‘The Mirror’, Nikki said the importance of raising awareness of the issue: “Even something like cat-calling, where people are yelling derogatory, nasty things at you and you’re on your own is massively intimidating.

“I’ve also spoken to people who have experienced varying degrees of microaggression toward women. It can be hard to say, “I’m uncomfortable with this,” but you should be able to say it. It’s very common in our society and we need to stop it.’

Nikki is supporting the final phase of the government’s Enough campaign, which began in the wake of the backlash against violence against women following the rape and murder of marketing director Sarah Everard in March last year.

Important: The 38-year-old actress has opened up about how people are pulling together to

Important: The 38-year-old actress has opened up about how people are pulling together to “put an end to this” in society as she leads a new home office campaign to stop more killings like those of Sarah Everard and Sabina to prevent Nessa

In the latest phase of the campaign, passers-by are encouraged to provide a distraction or bring out their phone and film incidents to help tackle unwelcome sexual behavior towards women in public places.

The campaign urges people to take direct action in such cases, using statements such as “This language is not okay” or “This is against the law.”

The Enough campaign has received public support from police forces, women’s safety groups and several charities.

Hollyoaks will air scenes reminiscent of Libby Squire’s ordeal. The 21-year-old was killed in 2019 walking home alone after being refused entry to a nightclub and being separated from her friends.

Role: Nikki, who plays Maxine Minniver on the Channel 4 soap, is set to star in a special Hollyoaks episode called The Long Walk Home, which will detail her character's fear when she is left by her friends one night is separated

Role: Nikki, who plays Maxine Minniver on the Channel 4 soap, is set to star in a special Hollyoaks episode called The Long Walk Home, which will detail her character’s fear when she is left by her friends one night is separated

Nikki’s character Maxine is kicked out of a club and loses her friends, purse and cell phone and has to go home alone.

As she makes her way through the streets, a group of guys call her and harass her on public transport before finally being chased and attacked by a total stranger.

Adding to the storyline, the star said: “This was an important thing for us. Maxine blames herself for the attack. But you know it’s not her fault. She should be allowed to go where she wants without feeling threatened. It’s more about what people could have done to help her.”

Nikki continued that the Enough campaign is about getting people to “change their behavior” and realize that there are ways that you can help.

Harassment: It's hard to say "I feel uncomfortable about it", but you should be able to call it.  It's very common in our society and we need to put an end to it.

Harassment: It can be hard to say, “I’m uncomfortable with this,” but you should be able to say it. It’s very common in our society and we need to put an end to it.

Tragic: Nikki is supporting the final phase of the government's Enough campaign, which began in the wake of the backlash against violence against women following the rape and murder of marketing director Sarah Everard (pictured) in March last year

Tragic: Nikki is supporting the final phase of the government’s Enough campaign, which began in the wake of the backlash against violence against women following the rape and murder of marketing director Sarah Everard (pictured) in March last year

She added that working on the storyline alongside the campaign was an “absolute honor.”

TfL (Transport for London) launched a similar campaign earlier this year aiming to protect women and girls from “common examples” of harassment, including upskirting, cat yelling and exposure.

As part of the initiative, posters were posted across the network warning: “Intrusive staring of a sexual nature is sexual harassment and will not be tolerated.”

Police-recorded sex offenses increased in the year to December 2021 over a 12-month period (183,587) to the highest level on record.

This was a 22% increase over 2020 (150,748) and a 13% increase over 2019 (163,067). Cases of rape, stalking and domestic violence and also peppered.

Danger: Nikki's character Maxine is kicked out of a club and loses her friends, purse and cell phone and has to go home alone

Danger: Nikki’s character Maxine is kicked out of a club and loses her friends, purse and cell phone and has to go home alone