Women’s safety Charter aims to safeguard night economy workers

EMPLOYERS across the city are being urged to take action to prioritise women’s safety at night by signing up to the city’s first Women’s Safety Charter.

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

Its development has been led by Bristol Nights, alongside Bristol City Council, Bristol’s Violence Against Women and Girls specialists, nighttime venues and the police.

More than 30 per cent of all Bristol jobs operate between 6pm and 6am across health and social care, leisure, hospitality and cultural sectors.

The charter also asks organisations to take steps to protect women who visit the city at night.

Mayor Marvin Rees said: “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 we need to act now.

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

A national survey in 2021 showed 97 per cent of people 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, with most using a zero-tolerance policy.

Of those venues, 87 per cent said they felt further training would be of benefit to them. Such training is already being rolled out across the city with the development of a programme pulled together by a leading anti-sexual harassment trainer.

This is alongside local communications campaigns and awareness activity supported by £282,000 of funding from the Home Office’s Safety of Women at Night Fund.

Carly Heath, Bristol’s night-time economy advisor, said: “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.

“We are also delivering training aimed at equipping venues and others with the knowledge and skills to tackle harassment.”

Marti Burgess, owner of Lakota Nightclub and Gardens, said: “We take the safety of women very seriously and are constantly looking at how we can spot threats, challenge unacceptable behaviour and provide a safe environment for all.

“This 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.”

The charter was launched at an event held at the Bristol Beacon on Wednesday which saw a number of organisations sign up.