Launch of Bristol Women’s Safety Charter

“It boils down to a simple message – if it’s unwanted, it’s not OK.”

These were the words of Bristol’s nighttime economy advisor Carly Heath at the launch of a new citywide charter.

Employers across all industries that operate after dark are being encouraged to take action to prioritise women’s safety by signing up to the set of seven commitments designed to improve the safety of those involved in the nighttime economy.

The charter was modelled on a similar commitment from the mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the capital’s night czar, Amy Lamé, was among the people inside the Bristol Beacon foyer for the launch on Wednesday night.

It’s a topic that will be discussed in more detail at the upcoming Bristol24/7 Presents event at Lost Horizon, in partnership with Bristol Nights, celebrating women in the nighttime economy. The event will feature Bristol’s nighttime economy advisor alongside other panellists, including Laura Lewis-Paul, founder of Saffron Records, Emma Harvey, the CEO of Trinity, and Ola Poroslo, the founder and director of Phat Bristol.

Amy Lamé and Carly Heath celebrate the launch of Bristol Women’s Safety Charter – photo: Ellie Pipe

Speaking about the launch of the new charter, Heath said: “When we talk about the 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 nighttime 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.”

Bristol Nights led the development of the Women’s Safety Charter, in partnership with Bristol City Council, violence against women and girls specialists, venues and the police.

Using £282,000 Home Office funding, work is also underway to deliver training for 1,000 members of staff working within the city’s nighttime economy, which accounts for more than 30 per cent of the jobs in Bristol. The aim is to equip people with the knowledge and skills to tackle harassment.

The charter’s seven commitments are:

• Champion: Appoint someone in the organisation to lead on this work.
• Communicate: Create a positive communications campaign.
• Support staff: Make sure options for unacceptable behaviour reporting are clear.
• Support the public: Ensure routes for reporting are clear.
• Training staff.
• Design for safety: Audit spaces and adapt to reduce risk of crime and sexual misconduct.

https://twitter.com/SARIcharity/status/1504180708151119874

Mayor Marvin Rees said it’s clear we need to act to make Bristol a safe, inclusive space for all, where women and girls are not subjected to harassment.

“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,” said Rees.

Marti Burgess, the owner of Lakota Nightclub and Gardens said the new charter and the training being rolled out is a welcome step and one that will help bring the right people and organisations together to improve the experience of the nighttime economy for women.

Sign up to the Bristol Night’s Women’s Safety Charter via www.bristolnights.co.uk/wsc.

Register now to secure a free ticket to the event at Lost Horizon: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol247-presents-celebrating-women-in-the-nighttime-economy-tickets-274830815367

Register to attend the live stream online via: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol247-presents-celebrating-women-in-the-nighttime-economy-virtual-tickets-294452042987

Main photo: Ellie Pipe 

Read more: Elevating the voices of women in Bristol’s night life scene

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