Art show features men speaking up against misogyny

Jason Selormey says he is worried about a rise in toxic masculinity online and wants to "push back" against it

A new exhibition features portraits of men committed to speaking up against gender-based violence.

The 16 men photographed by Claudia Janke - an artist who documents women's equality movements - are from different backgrounds and were nominated by colleagues, friends and family.

The portraits were unveiled at centre:mk shopping centre in Milton Keynes as part of White Ribbon Day, a global movement that aims to prevent violence against women and girls.

According to a YouGov survey with UN Women, seven out of 10 women experience sexual harassment in the UK, and 95% do not report it because they do not believe anything will change.

Sal Naseem, one of the men in the exhibition, was involved in investigating police misconduct

Among those featured is Sal Naseem, a former regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who investigated high-profile cases of police-perpetrated violence.

"We live in a time of a national emergency. A fifth of all recorded crime in England and Wales involves men's violence against women and girls," he said.

"Too often it's just women advocating for themselves when they're subjected to sexism and misogyny.

"But when a man steps in and intervenes and calls that out or supports the women, it's really powerful.

"That sort of allyship makes an imprint."

'Challenge it'

Jason Selormey, 30, an equality and inclusion manager at Weston College in Somerset, said he had seen a "rise online" in ideology suggesting feminism has harmed men.

He was also worried about the "manosphere", a network of communities that creates, consumes and distributes online content aimed at men and boys, which critics say promotes misogyny.

"What a lot of young men lack is a sense of belonging and they're finding that online," he said.

"I want to be part of the movement that pushes back on that."

His message to other young men who witness misogyny and harassment was to "speak up" and "challenge it or, if you can't, report it".

Mike Taggart, a police officer from north Wales, was made an MBE for services to victims of domestic abuse

One of the portraits is of Mike Taggart, an officer in North Wales Police's domestic violence unit.

He was just 15 years old when his mother, Donna, was murdered by his stepfather.

Mr Taggart was made an MBE for services to victims of domestic abuse.

The white ribbon is the globally recognised symbol to end men's violence against women and girls.

The men photographed - from firefighters and lawyers to mentors and community volunteers - have all chosen to speak up against misogyny, harassment and harmful gender stereotypes, amid concerns it can lead to more serious forms of gender-based violence.

Claudia Janke has spent two decades reporting on women's rights issues around the world through her photography

Ms Janke said 2025's White Ribbon project was "born out of a sense of bewilderment and frustration".

"You keep hearing the statistics about how many women experience harassment in public places.

"It's seven out of 10 women, and I'm one of those statistics."

She used a traditional instant box camera - a camera and a portable darkroom combined into one unit - for a "deliberately slow and collaborative process" built on patience and connection between photographer and sitter.

"I wanted to actually meet people who stand up for us in these situations.

"The men in this exhibition are doing exactly that. They are amazing role models."

Lynne Elliot, chief executive of White Ribbon UK, said: "We're seeing more men from all backgrounds using their voices to stand up for women and girls in everyday situations, and our ambassadors help make speaking up the norm.

"This is so important in challenging and changing the culture that enables violence against women and girls.

"Every time someone stays silent, it's a missed opportunity to stand up for what's right."

The We Speak Up portraits will be on display at centre:mk until 10 December.