Female politician furious after receiving sexually explicit card from stranger

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A councillor has taken a stand after she received a vile, sexually explicit card at her town hall office.

The Urmston representative on Trafford council in Manchester said she's had enough "shrugging off" male aggression and has called for action against sexual harassment.

Councillor Joanne Harding who has been in office for 11 years said the card she received this week brought the issue home, reports MEN.

She tweeted: "Is it any wonder that women want to stick together and keep themselves safe?

"I’ve had targeted harassment from an angry and aggressive man last week and now this.

"Card hand written and posted to the town hall addressed to Cllr Joanne Harding. Women councillors, join forces with me?"

Cllr Harding wants to ensure her 17-year-old daughter is "equipped" for the world we live in but doesn't want to "terrify" her.

On the front of the card, it said: "As long as I have a face you will always have somewhere to sit."

She later tweeted: "The fact that somebody went to those lengths, I gasped and was really shocked when I saw it.

"That’s the bit that spooked me, that somebody has actually gone out of their way to do that.

"I try to not let things like that stop me from doing things I like to do, but it does make you a bit more guarded."

In response to the card, Cllr Harding is now determined to set up a network for women in public office to help them share their experiences of harassment and get much-needed support.

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She said she is also aware of the double standards that women in public office have to endure.

Cllr Harding said she has the reputation of being "an outspoken woman" and has at times been called "bolshy", "gobby" and "aggressive".

She said: "If I say it, I’m aggressive, but if a man says it, he’s assertive.

"We know it’s not all men, but we need them to be allies. What are you doing to help? Say things to your mates."

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Cllr Harding believes that the tone around politics has changed over the last few years with the public much more vocal and often targeted against women.

"We have to protect ourselves in public. You always have to be thinking, looking over your shoulder, knowing where you are.

"We’re so used to just shrugging it off, seeing it as normal – the male aggression.

"But enough is enough, I’m done shrugging it off."

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