Women’s Night Safety Charter launched in West Midlands
West Midlands Combined Authority is encouraging more councils, businesses, and venues to sign the charter.
A new Women’s Night Safety Charter to help improve women’s safety across the region has been launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) today.
The charter, the first of its kind in the region, sets out guidance for venues, operators, charities, councils and businesses to improve safety at night for women - including better training of staff, encouraging the reporting of harassment and ensuring public spaces are safe.
More than 50 business have already signed up - including the NEC Group, the HMV Empire in Coventry, and Kings Heath’s iconic Hare and Hounds pub.
Mayor Andy Street said: "We are fortunate in the West Midlands to have an incredible night time economy, but it’s clear we need to do more both to support the hospitality sector and improve night time safety.
"The charter has real practical actions to help bolster women’s safety - including businesses providing better training and awareness - which is why we’re encouraging as many places as possible to sign up and implement the charter’s recommendations. Day or night, everyone in the West Midlands has a right to feel safe."
Alex Claridge, WMCA’s Night Time Economy Advisor and owner of Wilderness restaurant in Birmingham, said: "Whilst it is undeniable that nor myself or the Mayor will ever fully understand the experience of women in this region – it is right and proper that the West Midlands is stepping up, together, to commit to a safer nightlife.
"The Women’s Night Safety Charter, alongside a safety charter focused on LGBTQ+ safety, will form the cornerstone of a new agenda for the region focused on ensuring the brilliance we see from businesses across the region is not overshadowed by the unacceptable behaviour of the few."
The West Midlands charter has been inspired by the pledges created for the Mayor of London’s Women’s Night Safety Charter, which was drafted to support the future of London’s nightlife after 6pm.
Organisations can get involved and sign up to the Charter here.
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