£300k to be spent in Staffordshire on improving safety of women and girls at night
The funding will include extra street pastors and vulnerability training for nightclub staff
£300,000 is to be invested in improving the safety of women in Hanley, Stafford, Cannock, Newcastle and Burton.
The Home Office funding is designed to fund initiatives focused on preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the night-time economy, in venues and on public transport.
It also aims to reduce the fear of VAWG, and improve women’s feelings of safety in public spaces at night.
In Hanley, Stafford, Cannock, Newcastle and Burton, the funding will be used to develop a range of initiatives including:
• Developing safe places within identified night-time locations, where women can seek advice, first aid and support
• Establishing safe routes to and from public transport in busy night-time locations
• Providing marshals / street pastors in busy night-time locations, to offer advice, signposting, basic first aid and help in managing the allocation of taxis
• Delivering vulnerability training for staff in the night-time economy
• Developing an accredited Women's Night Safety Charter for organisations operating at night
• Developing awareness campaigns around different aspects of women’s safety at night.
Ben Adams, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, said: ‘Reducing violence against women and girls – and the fear of violence – is a key priority for me as Commissioner.
‘This funding is a welcome addition to vital work already underway across the area with our partners. It will enable us to invest in a range of practical initiatives that not only increase the safety of women and girls but also ensure they feel safer too when enjoying nights out in our popular towns and cities.’