Safer Places for Women and Girls

The Violence Reduction Alliance (VRA) believes harassment and violence in any form is unacceptable and is committed to creating safer public spaces for all, particularly women and girls, and others who might find themselves vulnerable.​

A local survey carried out by the VRA in 2021, highlighted that 67% of female respondents had experienced harassment, intimidation, or violence in a public place, 92% feared walking down subways or alleyways, followed by 90% feared walking in poorly lit areas in the night-time economy. 

In response to this survey, the VRA has developed a Safer Places for Women and Girls Charter and is inviting all businesses and organisations operating in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to sign the Charter and work together to reduce violence against women and girls in public spaces and to improve feelings of safety in the day and at night, including the night-time economy. 

The Charter is a voluntary pledge for organisations to show they acknowledge the issue and that they’re ready to get proactive in improving women and girl’s safety and experience. 

To assist Charter signatories in meeting the six commitments of the Charter, we have also developed a Charter Toolkit which signposts organisations to best practice information, and other useful resources. When businesses and organisations sign up to the Charter they will receive a window decal and social media assets to show they are a signatory. 

Whatever your organisation, there will be something you can do to better support women and girl’s safety.