William Eichler 17 March 2022

Bristol employers urged to prioritise women’s safety at night

Bristol employers urged to prioritise women’s safety at night  image
Image: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com.

Bristol City Council urged employers to prioritise women’s safety at night by signing up to the city’s first Women’s Safety Charter.

The charter consists of a set of seven commitments and is designed to provide practical steps employers can take to improve the safety of women who work in the night-time economy.

Modelled on a similar commitment from the Mayor of London, the charter has been developed by Bristol Nights, working alongside Bristol City Council, Bristol’s Violence Against Women and Girls specialists, night-time venues and Avon and Somerset Police.

Over 30% of all Bristol jobs operate between the hours of 6pm and 6am across health and social care, leisure, hospitality and cultural sectors. In addition to those who work in the night-time economy, the charter asks organisations large and small to take steps to protect women who visit the city at night.

A national survey conducted in 2021 showed that 97 percent of the people surveyed had been harassed or had known someone who has been. A recent Bristol survey found that one in six venues said they have experienced harassment at their venue, with most venues choosing to use a zero-tolerance policy.

‘Too many women in our night-time economy have been subject to harassment or some form of threat. When a recent survey tells us that over nine in ten women have experienced harassment of some form at night, it’s clear that we need to act now,’ said Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees.

‘To act, we must do so collectively as public authorities and private businesses. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that our environments promote safety, that we provide training and support to tackle harassment and establish clear routes for issues to be reported and challenged. I urge employers, large and small, to join us as we fight back against perpetrators and stand up for the safety of women at night.’

Carly Heath, Bristol’s night-time economy advisor, commented: ‘When we talk about safety of women after dark, all too often the responsibility falls on women’s actions. We all have a role and a responsibility in securing the safety of women at night. The problem of harassment in the night-time economy is too widespread for any single organisation or individual to tackle alone. We must take a joined-up approach across venues, public agencies, charities, and support services to challenge perpetrators, provide safer environments and protect women at night.

‘This charter sets out practical steps we can all take to improve safety conditions and provides a focal point for our efforts. In addition to the charter, we are also delivering training aimed at equipping venues and others with the knowledge and skills to tackle harassment. This training will help ensure that we’re introducing a robust and consistent approach across the sector aimed specifically at improving the safety of women at night.’

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

School Crossing Patrol Officer - St Martins School

Essex County Council
Up to £12.10 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer - St Martins SchoolPermanent, Part Time£12.10 per hourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Tutor & Holistic Educator - Lapwing Education (Term Time Only)

Essex County Council
£23438 - £37861 per annum
Are you an outstanding teacher? Are you looking for a different challenge outside the classroom? Are you searching for an organisation which believes England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

City of York Council
Grade [11] Level 1- 4 (£47,760 to £54,463 per annum)
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced social worker to join City of York York, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of York Council

Social Care Assessor - Complex Care Team

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£38,364 - £40,833
Strength in people. Strength in communities. Strength in diversity. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Housing Inclusion Project Coordinator

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,951 - £42,840
An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Performance & Development team Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.