Learn how to spot and help vulnerable people on a night-out
This free event at The Guildhall will also teach you self-defence techniques
Last updated 30th Sep 2022
A community event to promote women's safety is taking place at The Guildhall in Salisbury, this Saturday (1 October).
The event, which aims to highlight the work of campaign groups to improve night-time safety in the city, will teach you to use self-defence and to spot and help vulnerable people on a night-out.
Organised by Salisbury Soroptimist Club and Safer & Supportive Salisbury, ‘ Making our City Safer’ is intended partly as a follow on from a community conference on women’s safety held in November 2021 and the actions arising from that.
Organisers say it will "also be a platform for many organisations to share the work they are doing to help make our city safe".
Eleanor Evans is a member of Salisbury Soroptimist Club - an organisation which aims to improve the lives of women and girls.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she explained why it's important to have conversations about women's safety:
"Although Salisbury is safer than lots of other cities, there's still lots we can do so that's part of what we've been doing in workplaces and schools.
"You may feel that you're not the person who's threatening a woman but you might see someone doing it, and we all have a role in standing up and saying that that's not acceptable.
"It's very easy to be a passive by-stander and not intervene, sometimes it can be scary to intervene. But it's lots of little things, even just in your friendship groups where you feel safe, have the courage to stand up and you might find that actually other people feel the same and haven't been brave enough to say something."
Eleanor says that these actions, while they might seem small, will add up and "help change behaviours over time".
Ongoing work to make city streets safer
Since November, an Action Plan has been developed by Salisbury Soroptimists and Safer & Supportive Salisbury, which included running projects aiming to improve safety in Salisbury, with a particular focus on women and girls.
This included audits of street-lighting around the city and a Schools Forum hosted by Godolphin School.
Organiser Eleanor Evans said of the event:
“We are delighted that many organisations working on safety issues in the Salisbury area are supporting us with displays and they will also share ideas for individuals or organisations who wish to get involved.
"Additionally there will be a self-defence demonstration, a presentation on how to recognise vulnerable individuals, a spotlight on our local CCTV service and a talk on how to avoid fraud and financial scams.”
The free event starts at 1:30pm this Saturday (1st October) and refreshments will be available.