Research find 80 per cent of women in Cambridgeshire feel unsafe in public spaces

A recent research project investigating feelings of public safety across Cambridgeshire found that almost 80 per cent of women in the county feel unsafe in public spaces, especially at night time.

To try to address this alarming statistic, a new campaign, Safe After Hours, has been rolled out across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, encouraging men to re-consider their behaviour and create a safer environment for women and girls at night.

Acting as an educational campaign to help boys and men identify misogynistic, harassing and sexually violent behaviours, Safe After Hours reveals the differing experiences women and men face during usual night-time activities, such as simply waiting at a bus stop or walking home - and how these situations can soon become dangerous for women.

The campaign has been launched to align with this month’s Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week to encourage people to become active bystanders and equip them with the tools and information they need to safely intervene if they should witness women being targeted with harassment or sexual violence.

Safe After Hours will also work alongside Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s upcoming safety accreditation scheme, with local night-time economy businesses in the area.

Superintendent Tim Nasta, head of protecting vulnerable people at Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “We have already asked people to call out inappropriate behaviour and our focus now is to try and make women feel safer at night through changes in our behaviour and continued education work.”

The campaign targets the three main issues that women reported experiencing in public spaces: Misogyny, harassment and sexual violence.

You can find out more about the Safe After Hours campaign here: knowviolence.org/safe-after-hours