Braintree District Council and the Braintree District Community Safety Partnership has launched a women’s safety campaign following a grant from the Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner as part of Operation Minerva which aims to tackle hotspots of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The Minerva Zone identified for Braintree focuses around Galley’s Corner, Braintree Retail Park and Braintree Village. This zone has been selected due to its high density of hospitality establishments - a mix of fast food and take-away, pubs/restaurants and hotels as well as it’s road and rail links.
A survey by Essex County Council around women’s safety found that almost half of women in Essex do not feel safe at night.
Braintree District Council conducted a further survey in the Operation Minerva area which found that 100% of those surveyed did not feel safe at night and that many use their phone, text or avoid certain areas to feel safer.
When asked what other people could do to help them feel safer, they responded; give women more space, don’t walk in groups, don’t wear masks, greater awareness and stop staring.
Cat calling was by far the most prominent inappropriate behaviour witnessed as well as abusive shouting and males projecting their groin towards women on public transport.
How to be an Active Bystander
Free ‘Active Bystander’ training was offered to businesses at Braintree Village, Braintree Retail Park and Galley’s Corner. Businesses that attended include Namco Funscape, Le Creuset, Ralph Lauren, Cineworld and Hasturk.
Training was delivered by Women’s Safety Expert, Karen Whybro, who has worked with other local authorities, police and businesses throughout the country and appeared on national TV.
To support the campaign, there is a store front display in Braintree Village, toilet door posters across the target area, window stickers and business cards detailing how to be an active bystander with the STOP messaging.
S - Speak up - If you see someone being harassed, don’t be afraid to speak up and…
T - Tell Someone - such as a member of staff or someone else in your group
O - Offer Support - if it is safe to do so and check if someone needs help or feels uncomfortable
P - Provide a Distraction - if you can’t get them away from the person, provide a distraction such as interrupting their conversation or providing some kind of barrier
What men can do to help women feel safer
You might know you’re not a threat, but for many women they have no way of telling what your intentions may be.
Many women will be on alert for danger at all times, so think about how your behaviour may affect them and be mindful of this.
Give space – if you’re walking behind a woman, give them plenty of space or cross the road. Unknown footsteps can be intimidating.
Don’t stare – while you might think this is flattering, it can be unsettling. Don’t stare at someone whether you mean it to be friendly or flirty and accept no for an answer.
Stay visible – Stay visible or a respectful distance, don’t sneak up on women or touch them to pass them.
Speak up – If you’re with someone who is harassing a woman such as cat calling, touching, leering or being abusive, call them out on it.
Share your views on the Essex Commonplace Map
Essex County Council would like to hear from women and girls who use public spaces in Southend, Essex and Thurrock.
Use the interactive map to tell them where and why you are feeling safe or unsafe and what can be done to make Essex a safer place for everyone.
We also have business cards available to pick up from Braintree Village with a QR code that links to the map, so you can add submissions on the move.