ON Thursday 28 November 2024, local councillors and businesses came together for the launch of Basildon Borough’s new Women’s Safety Charter.
The Women’s Safety Charter brings together local businesses and community organisations who have pledged to become safe spaces for women and girls. The charter will offer support, refuge and safety for those experiencing or at risk of violence, or feeling unsafe, to create a strong and powerful network against violence and abuse.
The charter is supported by a short film that demonstrates the vital role our communities play in challenging harmful behaviours to stand against violence and abuse:
Councillor Victoria Joseph, Deputy Mayor of Basildon Borough and Ending Domestic and Sexual Abuse Champion, launched the charter on Thursday, she said: “Ending violence against women and girls is everyone’s responsibility. Research has shown that women do not feel safe on our streets. This harsh reality provides an urgent need for us all to challenge harmful behaviours and work together to create safer spaces.
“The Women’s Safety Charter unites businesses and community organisations in a shared commitment to make Basildon a place where women and girls can feel safe, wherever they are—whether that’s at home, on the streets, or in our public spaces. By signing up to this charter, local businesses are not only providing safe havens but also standing together to empower those at risk, giving them the support they need to feel safe and secure.”
Councillor Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Council added: “Violence against women and girls is a tragic reality that shatters lives, and it has no place in Basildon. Our commitment to creating a safer borough isn’t just about policy – it’s about standing with those affected, understanding their experiences, and creating spaces that foster healing and protection.
“Whether you are a business owner, a stakeholder, a resident, or simply passing through, we need your commitment to help drive a fundamental change in culture. Together, we can make Basildon a borough where women feel secure and supported. I want us to keep building on this momentum, making Basildon a place where women feel safe and where safety is something they can rely on – not a privilege, but a right.”
Many local businesses and organisations have pledged to be spaces that prioritise women’s safety. Their commitment includes challenging current beliefs and behaviours, promoting women’s issues, and offering a place of support for those who need it. Local businesses and organisations currently signed up to the charter are as follows:
Basildon Borough Council
Changing Pathways
Debut Academy
Club Kingswood
Probation
Human Kind Café
Hollywood Bowl
Beehive/The Loft
The Noak Bridge
The Blue Boar
A further five organisations have signed up to the charter and are currently undergoing training before being officially registered as a designated safe space.
The real, lived experiences of women and girls have shaped Basildon Borough’s Women’s Safety Charter, with research conducted in partnership with Karen Whybro Consultants to gather the views and experiences of residents and those who work and visit the borough.
The research indicated that safety is a concern for everyone, but women feel disproportionately at risk of experiencing harm in every walk of life, during the day but particularly at night, with 88% of women stating they feel unsafe in our towns and on our streets after dark.
Basildon Council is dedicated to improving women’s and girls’ feelings and perceptions of safety in the borough, as well as embedding positive cultural change within communities, organisations and businesses.
Local businesses that wish to be a part of this important scheme should contact communitysafety@basildon.gov.uk
Find out more about the Women’s Safety Charter – www.basildon.gov.uk/womenssafetycharter
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