Following the appalling kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard in London, Plymouth City Council is restating its commitment to listening to women and girls across the city, to find out what more can be done to ensure that they are safe.
Plymouth is generally a safe city, with lower than UK average levels of crime. The city has Purple Flag status, which recognises the lower levels of crime and anti-social behaviour. However, following Sarah Everard’s kidnap and murder in London more local women have spoken out about how they often feel unsafe and are victims of harassment. These are crimes that often go unreported.
Plymouth City Council is committed to tackling violence against women and girls, and is working with the police on providing reassurance to the community that measures are in place to protect them when they are out and about.
The city has a vast CCTV network, with over 350 CCTV cameras across Plymouth, monitored 24 hours a day at our contact centre.
In addition, working with partners through Safer Plymouth, the Council also is taking specific action to combat Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence.
Work to tackle crime against women and girls is a priority for the coming year. There are a range of interventions planned including over 500 people already signed up to a series of events in the coming weeks on preventing harmful sexual behaviour and offending.
However, more must be done. As part of the Council’s ‘Welcoming City’ strategy, over the next few months, Plymouth City Council will be working with local women and girls to ask their views on what needs to happen to make sure that they all feel safe. The Council, and partners, will listen and act.
Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans, said:
“Our hearts go out to the family of Sarah Everard at this extremely difficult time, as well as to all families of women who have been victim to similar senseless violence across the UK.
“Too often the attention is focused on the victim, focusing on what she was wearing, where she was going and who she was with. Let me be clear, male violence against women is a male problem. There is no justification. We must stop excusing these actions by defining them as anything other than heinous and unacceptable.
“We cannot assume that we know what women across Plymouth need us to do to help, but we can ask them, listen to them and stand with them. By doing this, we can take action to drive real change and ensure that our female relatives, friends, colleagues and loved ones can go about their daily lives without fear or risk of violence or harassment.
“Plymouth City Council is committed to driving real change, passionate about making sure everyone is not just safe, but feels safe. And it will be incumbent on us all to support this programme of work.”
Women and girls are reminded that the ‘Ask Angela’ scheme is live across the City. Anyone who feels threatened or unsafe, can approach local businesses and ask to speak to Angela. Staff will then help them get out of the situation discreetly.
In addition, the Council and local schools support the Operation Encompass programme, supporting children who have been a victim or witnesses domestic abuse.
If you, or someone that you know, has been affected by sexual harassment or abuse there is support available in Plymouth:
If an incident has occurred, you can call 999 or 101 to speak to the police.
You can also contact Victim Support, who offer free, confidential advice for those who have been affected by sexual harassment – you can call their free helpline on 0808 1689 111.
Information regarding Domestic Violence support in Plymouth.