Why women in Birmingham do not feel safe when out alone

“I don’t feel safe.” - that’s what women across the West Midlands have told Birmingham World in recent weeks.

Afraid to walk the streets alone, harassment and fears of having drinks spiked have led to women across Birmingham boycotting bars as part of a national campaign urging bars and clubs to improve safety.

West Midlands Police have confirmed that they are investigating ten reports of spiking of drinks across Birmingham, Solihull, Wolverhampton and Coventry between October 18 to 26 but so far no person has been arrested.

The “Girls Night In’ campaign is urging bars and nightclubs to do more to tackle an “epidemic” of drink spiking. They are asking venue owners to improve security together with measure to protect beverages and medical facilities to be available.

There are now increasing calls for a step-change in society to tackle what some have described as a culture of misogyny.

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s aid is a charity supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. They have seen an ever-increasing demand for their services.

Anna Fawcett, Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid said: “Women do not have the same treatment of men in this country. We know that this is a problem for women.

If you look at some of the statistics recently, 97% of women in the United Kingdom will suffer some sort of sexual harassment. We need about that problem that it is women’s experience of violence. And it is sexual harassment, micro aggression – those small things leading up to rape or sexual assault.

“We need to make sure that there is a very strong link between the police and the criminal justice system so that any person who has experienced this sort of crime can have the confidence to go to the police.”

Here is what locals had to say regarding women’s safety:

Saby:

“Women, if they’re really honest, will always feel there’s an issue with safety. The government should have done more after Sarah Everards murder. I think women if they are really honest will always think there is an issue with safety. Its something we always have to be aware of.”

Laura:

“I personally wouldn’t feel safe going out on my own at night. You don’t know what can happen, you can be approached.”

Freya:

“Women should be able to feel safe when walking around at night. I know when I’m walking around, I have to be careful. I cant listen to music because I’m scared someone will come up behind me.”

One destination that is leading the way in safety is Westside in Birmingham. The district includes Broad Street and is the busiest entertainment destination in the Midlands.

Mike Olley is the General Manager for Westside BID. They have already implemented measures such as street wardens, CCTV surveillance, street pastors and taxi marshals.

Mike says: “Naturally we take the safety of our female guests very seriously we have a multitude of experienced people.

“We have a multitude of experienced people. We have our own wardens teams our own city pastors and our own door staff, in actual fact, and, of course the general managers and all that work within the entertainment and hospitality industry.”

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