SHE’S ON HER WAY HOME.
SHE COULD BE YOUR MISSUS, YOUR SISTER, YOUR MUM.
WOLF WHISTLING IS FOR WEIRDOS. DON’T WALK TOO CLOSE TO HER. NO OBVIOUSLY MEANS NO.
CALL OUT BAD BEHAVIOUR. BE AN ALLY.
BE PART OF THE CHANGE.
In Newcastle-under-Lyme, we have many women working, socialising and enjoying our town centre at night. And yet, following a survey conducted of night time economy users, 65% of those surveyed said they had felt threatened or harassed on a night out.
This needs to change and it is the responsibility of everyone.
Being out at night and getting home safely can be a cause of anxiety for many women, and as a collective, the Police Commissioner, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have joined together to launch a zero tolerance campaign against harassment in our town centre.
Women’s safety isn’t just their responsibility. It’s everyone’s.
WHAT IS NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME DOING?
>> We’re training nightlife workers on how to identify and put a stop to all kinds of harassment of women.
>> Developing a Women’s Safety Charter that will be introduced by the Staffordshire Commissioner for organisations to sign up to.
>> Introducing an update of the night time economy exclusion policy to include measures against spiking and sexual harassment.
>> Providing the night time economy businesses with anti spiking aids for those who require them.
>> Opening a Women’s Safe Space to be in operation on the Ironmarket between 25th March – 16th April where women can access assistance or sign posting if they feel unsafe or in a vulnerable position.
>> Rolling out of educational training and programmes for high school age through to younger adults age aimed at raising awareness of unacceptable behaviour towards women and girls.
>> Making free women’s safety aids such as personal safety alarms, portable chargers and spiking aids available from Women’s Safety Space & via Instagram @gethomesafenul
‘When we talk about women’s safety, it’s not to say that men don’t also experience violence or assaults or that it isn’t as important. It also does not mean that all men are violent towards women. It means that this is an issue that affects most women and all men can have a role in ending violence or harassment of women.
Even if you don’t identify yourself as part of the problem, this doesn’t mean that you can’t help in some way. We all have a responsibility not to remain silent and to call out bad behaviour when we see it happen.
HOW CAN I BE PART OF THE CHANGE?
>> Don’t stay silent. Speak up and challenge the behaviours of someone you know or a stranger by telling them what you think they’re saying or doing is wrong.
>> Educate yourself. Charities like White Ribbon engage with men and boys to make a stand against ending male violence towards women. There are numerous resources available on their website.
>>Be prepared to challenge your own behaviours. The easiest way to be an ally is to make changes to the way you interact with women yourself. If it’s unwanted, it’s not ok.