More needs to be done to protect women during Cheltenham Festival, says charity

75% of women say they don't feel safe dring race week

Author: Isabel KimbreyPublished 14th Mar 2022
Last updated 15th Mar 2022

A Gloucestershire charity says more needs to be done to protect women during the Cheltenham Festival.

Over 250,000 people are expected to embark on Prestbury Park this week as the easing of coronavirus restrictions sees spectators return since 2020.

But as racegoers prepare their best outfits, it's been revealed women don't feel safe during race week with reports of sexual harrassment increasing.

Women's safety has become top of the agenda since many high profile deaths of women including Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa and Ashling Murphy.

In a recent survey by Cheltenham Borough Council, 75% of women who took part said they don't feel safe during race week.

"When there are 638 responses in total, thats over 450 women who feel unsafe during race week", says Maggie Stewart, CEO of Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (GRASAC).

"We just need to start tackling this and seeing some actual action rather than just taking the data and then wait and see what happens year after year.

"We need to start looking at this a lot more seriously that we have been doing in the past."

"We need to stop victim blaming"

94% of women responding to the survey said they have changed their behaviours following incidents of sexual harrassment or assault.

Maggie Stewart says victim blaming "has to stop":

"This business of "you were wearing the wrong clothes" or "you've had too much to drink" has to stop because women should be able to wear what they like and go out and socialise how they want.

"Let's make sure we're putting the blame with those who are committing either low-level harrassment up to the more serious sexual assault and abuse."

Action must be taken now

The charity are calling for more action to tackle violence against women and girls.

Gloucestershire's PCC, Chris Nelson, has made it a priority to address the issue and the Constabulary has also launched the FLARE app which allows people to anonymously report sexual harrassment.

But during race week, Maggie Stewart thinks more could be done:

"We need posters up, text messages sent out to people attending with warnings that everyone must be respected.

"I think so much more could be done and we have worked with Gloucestershire Police again this year to provide posters which we hope will go up around the festival.

"We need an approach which includes education and prevention."

The issue of women's safety has come further under the spotlight after a Cheltenham nightclub was granted a sexual entertainment licence to provide lap dancing during race week.

Members of Cheltenham Borough Council unanimously agreed to grant the six day licence to The 2 Pigs club with councillors agreeing they were unable to reject it on a moral ground.

There were no safety incidents linked to the club and police did not raise any objections either.

What does The Jockey Club say?

In a statement, the festival organisers said: “The safety of all our racegoers and the local community is always our number one priority.

"We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of anti-social behaviour or criminal activity and work in partnership with Gloucestershire Police and other local authorities before, during and after every raceday to ensure we are doing everything in our control to support them.

“This includes promoting the ‘Flare’ app - which encourages women and girls to anonymously share their experiences of how and where they have felt unsafe – on posters, leaflets and on big screens on racedays."

Cheltenham Festival 2022

Day One

Racegoers are primed for action after a year away!

Day One

68,000 people are expected to attend the Festival's opening day.

Day One

Tuesday is headlined by the Champion Hurdle race.

Day One

The bookmakers will be delighted that fans are back at Cheltenham, after a one-year hiatus.

Day One

Horses including Buveur D'Air, Istabraq and Hurricane Fly have won the Champion Hurdle race in previous years.

Day One

Horses being taken to the ring on Day One.

Day One

250 bookies are on site this year.

Day One

Winners Rachel Blackmore and Honeysuckle following the Champion Hurdle race.

Day One

The notorious 'Cheltenham Roar' is back in full force!

Day One

On Friday attention will turn to the Gold Cup race.

Day One

The event is expected to generate up to £50 million for the local economy.

Day One

Horses including Best Mate and Kauto Star became household names after their success at Cheltenham.

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