The Safer Harlow Partnership (SHP) works hard to ensure our town is a safe place for visitors and residents to enjoy. A Harlow residents’ survey in 2023 indicated that women and girls disproportionately feel unsafe in public spaces in our town, particularly after dark.
As part of our commitment to improve the experiences of women in our town, the SHP and Women’s Safety Consultant, Karen Whybro, have created a Women’s Safety Charter which will bring together members of our community to deliver Safe Spaces around the town, with trained staff members who cultivate a safe environment for all.
You can view the full charter below, or you can download the Harlow Women's Safety Charter (pdf).
We want local businesses and organisations to join us in prioritising women’s safety by ensuring their space is safe, respectful and an inclusive place to be.
You can register your business or organisation as a member of the Women’s Safety Charter using our online form.
Contents
Toolkit, reporting and reviewing
Introduction
It’s a sad fact that, in 2024, women still do not feel safe on our streets. In the last few years, we have seen some horrific headlines about violence against women – crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls.
The National Police Chief's Council reported that "between October 2021 and March 2022, over 507,827 violence against women and girls crimes (VAWG) were recorded, amounting to 16% of all crimes over that period".
When it comes to perceptions of personal safety, the latest Office for National Statistics survey, found that almost three times as many women feel “a bit” or “very” unsafe after dark (31% of women compared to 13% of men) in public spaces. Women and girls face much higher levels of sexual violence than the rest of society and, sadly, our towns and cities in Essex are not immune to this reality.
In a recent survey by Essex County Council, almost half of women reported feeling unsafe at night. But it’s not just after dark when women feel susceptible to gendered violence. Women’s everyday experience is marred by having to change their behaviours to reduce the likelihood of experiencing some kind of harassment, assault or worse. From choosing a different route home, taking public transport rather than walking, always staying in groups, women are continuously considering their safety in a way that men don’t.
Data from Essex Police demonstrates that, where gender is detailed, over half of victims of violence against the person (VAP) offences identified as female (56.3%). From 2022 to 2023, there were 47,362 VAP offences committed against women and girls. And we don’t think this is right. Women and girls should feel safe wherever they are, whatever the time of day, which is why we have developed the Harlow Women’s Safety Charter to improve experiences for women in our town.
Women’s safety as a priority
In 2021, the police watchdog, HMICFRS, stated that we are facing an “epidemic of violence against women”. Calling on the government for a speedy and meaningful commitment to tackle the increasing rates of these crimes, HMICFRS called on councils, schools, and health and social care bodies to work together with the criminal justice system to address the problem.
At the Safer Harlow Partnership, we believe that women’s safety must be prioritised as a matter of urgency and, last year, we began work on the Women’s Safety In Harlow project to improve women’s and girls’ feelings of safety in our town.
The real, lived experiences of women have shaped the Harlow Women’s Safety Charter, with research conducted in partnership with Karen Whybro Consultants, to gather the views and experiences of residents and those who work in Harlow. This research indicated that safety is a concern for everyone, but that women feel disproportionately at risk of experiencing harm in every walk of life, during the day
as well as at night.
"I want to go for a run early in the morning but I can’t because I am scared." Immigrant Harlow resident.
"I want my daughter to grow up knowing she is as safe as her male peers. I don’t want to explain to her that she has to change her behaviour as I have done my whole life in order to be safe." Harlow resident.
"As an older woman, I worry I can’t get away quickly." Older resident.
"There’s no footfall in town which makes it scary." Harlow resident.
"The buses are empty and even then I have to walk at the other end." Harlow resident.
"I get followed off the bus regularly." Teenage girl.
"I’m fearful of erratic behaviour – one minute they’re nice, to then, turn violent." Harlow resident.
Harlow Women’s Safety Charter
Our Safer Harlow Partnership team works hard to ensure our town is a safe place for visitors and residents to enjoy. We also recognise that particular groups of people have specific concerns and needs and the research has indicated that women and girls disproportionately feel unsafe in public spaces in our town.
To year ending September 2023, there were 2,544 VAWG police recorded crimes in Harlow. Of these, 387 took place in public spaces and 705 in organisations. Police data shows that these types offences have decreased from 2022, however, it must always be noted that recorded police data only presents incidents reported to police.
Charities and services working with victim-survivors of violence against women and girls in Harlow have reported an increase in demand for services, especially in respect of domestic abuse.
"Safety is not the absence of threat - it is a presence of connection." Gabor Maté
As part of our commitment to improve the experiences of women in our town, The Safer Harlow Partnership and Women’s Safety Consultant, Karen Whybro, have created a Women’s Safety Charter which brings together members of our community to deliver 'Safe Spaces' around the town, with trained staff members who cultivate a safe environment for all.
Local businesses and organisations pledge to prioritise women’s safety by ensuring their space is a safe, respectful and inclusive place to be. Signing up to the charter includes pledging their commitment to a range of tasks, training and continued professional development which ensures staff and members prioritise women’s safety as a standard.
In addition, the charter calls on all members of our community to consider their attitudes and behaviour to become a more positive place for women and girls. We believe that everybody has a role to play in creating and sustaining a respectful and inclusive culture for all.
Through our media campaigns, we will highlight the experiences of women and challenge misogynistic behaviour in order that Harlow is recognised as a progressive place, championing women’s safety throughout the town.
The campaign message
What part do you play?
We believe that every individual can play their part in making our community safer. It is our responsibility to keep ourselves safe but also to help sustain a culture where safety is a protected right for all. Women do not feel safe on our streets and we are calling on every member of our community to improve their experience through challenging current beliefs and behaviours, promoting women’s issues and offering a place of sanctity for those who need support.
A 2023 YouGov survey has found that over three-quarters of UK adults think improved safety procedures in bars, pubs and nightclubs is necessary in the wake of high-profile cases of VAWG.
Similarly, a survey by Budweiser in the same year found that 53% of women would be more inclined to visit a venue that has anti-harassment and discrimination policies, compared to men (35%).
Campaign support
Whether you’re a business owner, manager of a team, community leader or member of any organisation in Harlow, you have a role to play in ensuring our town is a safe and welcoming place.
Being an advocate for women means ensuring that a culture is upheld that is committed to prioritising their safety. Organisations signing up to the charter will allocate a member of staff who leads on its aims and every person in that organisation must also be committed to being active guardians of the culture that centres women’s experiences.
Every business or organisation who signs up to the Harlow Women’s Safety Charter will benefit from a range of support to positively impact your space and the experience of everyone using it. We will provide training for your team, guidance, support and a bank of resources for you to use to help create and sustain a positive culture for women throughout your space and your team.
We will train your team on how to create a safe space for women, how to introduce and implement gender equality policies and practices and embed positive culture to ensure the charter is effective in the long term.
The pledge
Being part of the Harlow Women’s Safety Charter requires a commitment from each business or organisation to make a pledge. The pledge forms the actions an organisation must take to be considered a 'Safe Space'.
This involves committing to staff culture training, considering physical changes to your space and utilising our bank of resources to ensure your intentions towards making a safe space for women is prominent and clear.
Organisations are required to make 5 pledges, as follows, to verify their space as safe for women:
- Allocate a nominated Charter Leader.
- Train staff members to become 'custodians of culture'.
- Clearly display media which sets expectations of behaviour, both physically and online.
- Signpost people who require support to the best source of help.
- Consider making changes to physical space to promote safety.
All resources, training and information on signposting will be provided by The Safer Harlow Partnership and Karen Whybro, Women’s Safety Consultant.
Toolkit, reporting and reviewing
Every organisation committing to the Harlow Women’s Safety Charter is provided with a package of resources and guidance to ensure that they are supported from signing up, through to reviewing the impact of their safe space on women’s experiences long-term. This will include:
- a bank of physical and digital media resources
- audit for staff and visitors to identify what can be improved and what is working in your space
- training for staff and members in creating a positive culture
- resources for implementing positive change in the physical space and working policy and practice
- support and information on organisations to signpost members or visitors to who may be in need
Survey responses
Respondents
Total: 203
Women: 167
Men: 36
Ethnicity
White British: 94%
Asian: 2%
Other: 4%
Age demographics
18 - 24: 8
25 - 44: 79
45 - 50: 31
51 - 60: 50
60+: 35
How safe people feel in Harlow (daytime)
Men and women
Felt unsafe: 34%
Felt safe: 47%
Felt neither safe nor unsafe: 19%
Women
Felt unsafe: 34%
Felt safe: 46%
Felt neither safe nor unsafe: 20%
How safe people feel in Harlow (nighttime)
Men and women
Felt unsafe: 75%
Felt safe: 9%
Felt neither safe nor unsafe: 16%
Women
Felt unsafe: 77%
Felt safe: 8%
Felt neither safe nor unsafe: 15%
Specific places women feel unsafe in Harlow
Parks / outdoor space: 125
On the streets: 175
Gyms: 5
Educational facility: 6
Bars / pubs: 50
Restaurants: 5
Public transport: 50
At work: 20
Other: 25
Never felt unsafe: 12
Specific spaces women feel unsafe in Harlow
Top 3 responses:
- Market Square / town centre
- The Stow
- Staple Tye
Common behaviours women have reported
Top 3 responses:
- groups of men or young people hanging around
- shouting / catcalling / intimidating behaviour
- street drinking
What women say would help them feel safer in Harlow
Top 3 responses:
- better lighting
- increased police presence
- behaviour change
Focus groups
As a second phase of research, individual and focus group interviews were held with different demographics of women and girls to gain further insight into their feelings of safety and unsafety.
Discussions started with asking women and girls how safe they feel in their local area on a scale of 1 (not safe at all) to 5 (extremely safe). Further questions explored ideas around features of their local area, types of behaviours they witnessed and experienced and what could be done to effect better feelings of safety for women and girls. The most common themes of these discussions have been pulled together through thematic analysis to illustrate pertinent findings from this research.
How safe do you feel in Harlow during the daytime?
Actual responses
“I would score Harlow 3/5 on how safe I feel in daytime but 1/5 at night”.
“I would score Harlow 2/5 on how safe I feel in daytime but 1/5 at night”.
“I wouldn’t go into town on my own at night”.
“I’d scored Harlow 2 on how safe I feel at night”. Female teenage resident.
Common themes
After dark evokes most fear.
Feelings of unsafety changes how women move around Harlow after dark.
Overall observations
Feelings of safety vary throughout the day.
How safe do you feel in Harlow after dark?
Responses, quotes and comments
“There are some corners where no one can see you”.
“We need to consider this in planning stages!”
“Get rid of some of the alleyways and blind spots”.
“The cycle tracks are so nice but I wouldn’t do them alone”.
“No footfall in town makes it scary”.
“Areas look unkept and untidy”.
“We need staff on transport”.
“Cameras make me feel safer”.
“Cameras are spray-painted and broken”.
Common themes
Certain design elements, lack of light and structures increase the feeling of unsafety.
'Busyness' affects feelings of safety.
Surveillance increases the feeling of safety.
Overall observations
Design has impact on how safe or unsafe women and girls feel.
Do you think intersectionality impacts how safe women and girls feel?
For example, do women who are from marginalised groups, disabled or race or age, impact their feelings of safety?
Responses, quotes and comments
“Being an older women, I can’t get away quickly”.
“Being older, I’m unobvious as a target”.
“Having a visible disability makes you more vulnerable”.
“Young girls experience it just for being female”.
“I get followed regularly”. Teenage resident.
“More police presence is needed”.
“Vandalism is a problem”.
“Men drinking on the street”.
Common themes
Age makes women feel more vulnerable, whether young or older.
Disability makes you more vulnerable.
Antisocial behaviour is big issue in terms of safety.
Overall observations
Intersectionality affects women’s feelings of safety.
Social issues are significant for feelings of safety.
Where would you say are hotspots in your local area where you feel particularly unsafe?
Responses, quotes and comments
“My husband walks me to work”. Professional in Harlow.
“Town centre”.
“Underpasses”.
“Cycle paths”.
“Market square”.
“The Stow”.
“I never walk by the bus station”.
Common themes
Empty places are scary.
Lack of lighting is an issue.
Unkempt or untidy areas aren’t appealing.
Overall observations
Feelings of safety or unsafety differ from place to place.
What types of behaviours do you witness or experience that make you feel unsafe?
Responses, quotes and comments
“Known people but police don’t do anything about him”.
“Vandalism makes me feel unsafe”.
“Groups of people are intimidating”.
“Mask wearing – you can’t tell who they are”.
“Catcalling and erratic behaviour”.
“Groups of boys are intimidating”.
Common themes
It’s a regular occurrence that women and girls are intimidated.
Harassment is common.
Groups or gangs make women and girls feel very unsafe.
Overall observations
Male behaviour impacts feelings of safety.
What do you think could be done to make you feel safer?
Responses, quotes and comments
“We want more safe spaces”. Teenage girl.
“People to help us if we’re feeling unsafe or need help”.
“We need work in schools so young people know what is and isn’t acceptable”.
“Women need to be seen as equals”.
“People need to call out each other’s behaviour”.
Common themes
Safe spaces for women and girls throughout town are needed.
Education is key.
Active bystandership training would help.
Overall observations
Biggest changes needed are cultural.
Contact
The Women's Safety Charter is brought to you by Harlow Council, The Safer Harlow Partnership and Karen Whybro, Women’s Safety Consultant.
Please contact Safer@harlow.gov.uk for further information.