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Victims of domestic violence have condemned a council over ‘triggering’ anti-litter posters featuring ‘intimidating, masculine eyes’ – saying they cause anxiety for people who have suffered trauma.
The large posters, which show a pair of men’s eyes alongside the words ‘Littering It’s A Crime,’ have been put up along the B1050 between Bar Hill and Northstowe in Cambridgeshire.
The roadside campaign was implemented by South Cambridgeshire District Council, which said it took inspiration from other successful campaigns elsewhere in the country.
But local councillor Dan Lentell said he has been contacted by a number of residents who have suffered domestic abuse, who say the posters make them feel uncomfortable.
‘I’ve been approached by women who I know have experienced the most appalling domestic abuse to ask if I can do something about this because they do not like having intimidating, masculine eyes staring at them with no context,’ he said.
The councillor added that he feared the posters could also be triggering for veterans with PTSD and anyone who has experienced violence.
‘Councils shouldn’t be intimidating tax payers. The posters are causing undeniable distress and are ill-considered,’ he said.
Kayleigh, a nearby resident who has experienced trauma, told her local paper, The Cambridge Independent, that she finds the posters troubling.
The ‘hostile eyes’ poster on the B1050 in Northstowe, Cambridgeshire, designed to deter littering on a busy road
The large posters show a pair of men’s eyes alongside the words ‘Littering It’s A Crime’
She said: ‘They make me feel uncomfortable. If someone has PTSD, it’s not something that’s nice to look at. It brought up negative feelings. I have spoken to a couple of female friends who don’t feel comfortable with them.
‘I understand the reason behind it, but I think if they put owl eyes up, or animal eyes, it would be a completely different feeling.’
A spokesperson for South Cambs District Council said: ‘The initiative is a trial campaign following local frustrations at the level of littering alongside the B1050.
‘It was developed following extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, around Longstanton and Northstowe including parish, town and local councillors – and Highways officers.
‘We checked with a local charity which supports women with experience of domestic abuse, and they did not consider the signs to be triggering.
‘The campaign draws on guidance and examples of successful anti-littering campaigns used elsewhere in the UK, in locations such as Cornwall, where imagery featuring eyes has been effective in discouraging anti-social behaviour such as littering.
Local councillor Dan Lentell said he has been contacted by a number of residents who have suffered domestic abuse, who say the posters make them feel uncomfortable
‘Our approach was informed by best practice guidance developed by the Recycling for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership.
‘The trial has been going for four weeks, and we have already seen a reduction in littering down from 13 bags to seven over a three-week sample period.
‘We take community feedback seriously and remain committed to ensuring the posters are both impactful and respectful.’
The poster trial is currently set to run until April 6.
