KNOW Violence Against Women has launched a bold new campaign, Safe After Hours, to increase awareness of the street harassment and sexual violence suffered by women at night.
After commissioning a research project to investigate feelings of public safety across Cambridgeshire, it was found that almost 80% of women in the county feel unsafe in public spaces*. The majority of these women reported feeling more unsafe at night-time.
Supported by Cambridge United F.C., Rape Crisis, leading forensic healthcare specialist, Mountain Healthcare, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Partnership, Safe After Hours is a campaign helping men identify misogynistic, harassing and sexually violent behaviours at night. This campaign encourages men to re-consider their behaviour toward women and in turn, cultivate a safer environment for women and girls.
Safe After Hours specifically draws attention to the harassment and sexual violence suffered by women in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire at night-time. The campaign aims to encourage people to become active bystanders, equipping them with the tools and information they need to safely intervene when they witness women being targeted with harassment or sexual violence.
Safe After Hours will also help raise awareness of Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s upcoming night club safety accreditation scheme; working in partnership with night-time economy businesses in the area to help create safer spaces for women.
This latest campaign highlights sex-based differences within certain night-time activities, such as running at night and waiting for a taxi and demonstrates how these relatable experiences differ greatly between men and women. The campaign poses questions to their audience to consider, nudging them towards making better choices.
Superintendent Tim Nasta, head of protecting vulnerable people at Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “This campaign urges us all – especially men and boys - to educate ourselves on what violence against women is and what we should do to make women feel safer at night. It often only takes small changes in our behaviour towards women to help them feel more comfortable and respected when out at night.”
To learn more about this campaign, please visit: https://knowviolence.org/safe-after-hours/
*According to research undertaken by Social Change in 2021/22.
Share