A Conservative candidate has been criticised for asking children to submit cartoons demonstrating public sexual harassment for a competition in his local area.
Festus Akinbusoye, who is standing to replace Nadine Dorries in Mid Bedfordshire, is offering a GoPro camera and tablet for the best depiction of public sexual harassment. The competition aims to "help to challenge these behaviours."
Children - aged 11 to 17 - have been invited to submit a computer animation, short film or digital art for the competition.
The entry guidelines contain no safeguarding advice or requirements for parental supervision.
Festus Akinbusoye is standing to replace Nadine Dorries in Mid Bedfordshire,
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A poster advertising the competition, seen by the Mirror, says: "Help us to highlight what public sexual harassment is, what inappropriate behaviours look like and how we can all help to challenge these behaviours."
A Labour source hit out at the competition, saying it "makes a mockery" of charities and campaign groups fighting to end sexual harassment.
They said: "This is grossly inappropriate and it is bewildering that Mr Akinbusoye thought this was acceptable.
"Violence against women and girls is a scourge on our communities, but this is completely the wrong way to go about tackling it.
"It makes a mockery of the tireless work of brilliant local charities and campaign groups fighting every day to end it.
"Mr Akinbusoye should cancel this competition immediately and issue an apology to parents in Bedfordshire who will rightly have been appalled by this initiative."
A spokesman for the Office of the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: "Our Safer Streets project has been involved in a comprehensive programme of work with young people to raise awareness and change behaviour around violence against women and girls.
"Sadly, sexual harassment happens across society so it’s important to tackle these views and attitudes at an early stage through education and prevention.
"This work has included funding dedicated youth workers to deliver presentations in dozens of schools across the county, tailored theatre performances and training to teachers and other school staff.
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The by-election was called after Dorries resigned over the summer
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"The design competition is one small part of this programme to encourage secondary school-age students to think creatively about hugely important issues affecting young people today, such as consent and misogyny.
"The competition was devised in conjunction with safeguarding experts who were supportive of the programme, as well as being marketed predominantly through schools who can provide support to anyone looking to take part."
The by-election was called after Dorries resigned over the summer.
The Tories are currently battling with Labour and the Lib Dems to keep hold of the seat, which secured a 24,664 majority in 2019.
