Nearly three quarters of women in Merseyside live in fear of sexual assualt and more than two thirds say that they would not report an incident to police.
Research carried out by Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner shows that 71% of women still in live in fear of sexual assault and 69% of women say they would not report an incident to the police.
Liverpool City Council has launched a 16-day action plan which aims to reduce domestic abuse incidents by ensuring residents have access to services and help increase prevention of these crimes.
Plans for the initiative include a text message which can be used to report concerns, educational training for up to 70 schools on sexual harassment and misogyny and an increased police presence on the city’s transport through the Safer Streets Merseyside projects.
Merseyrail have also been handing out white ribbons pins on trains to raise awareness.
Stephanie Barney, who runs Girls on the Go – a female community group in Liverpool – believes this topic needs to be talked about more.
She said: “I think it’s great that the council are doing stuff to raise awareness as it’s such an important topic that we need to talk about.
“I think sometimes it’s very easy to dismiss something that particularly affects women. It’s nice that they take it seriously and that they are trying to take more action, and we can always do more, but I think these are good first steps to make a difference.”
Stephanie welcomed the action plan but said: “I would like to see the council not just talking about these issues during the 16 days but rather all year round.
“The problem with a lot of campaigns is that they get a lot of attention during the campaign week and then after that it doesn’t get talked about anymore, I think talking about it year round and giving more safe spaces for women to come along not necessarily just us, girls on the go, but areas that they can get support and make it easier for them to get support.”
we should be talking about it year round
Whilst a lot us are getting ready for the exciting festive period, many women who suffer from domestic abuse are dreading it, as cases of domestic abuse rise during Christmas. Women’s Aid are expecting a 15% increase of domestic abuse claims during the winter months.
“The problem of talking about important things is that it can be ignored as everyone is focused on Christmas which is why I think we should be talking about it year round – but I do understand that the 16 days of action is required.”
Recent figures have shown that Merseyside Police made nearly 7,000 arrests for stalking and harassment arrests in five years, with 87% of arrests being male.
Featured image (c) Victoria Bannon
@merseynewslive Liverpool City council have launched 16 days of action to tackle violence against women and girls. Full story on our website. #jmunewsday ♬ original sound – MerseyNewsLive
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