Southwark and Lambeth launch £200k anti-misogyny campaign

Nearly £200,000 has been made available by Southwark council to start a campaign against misogyny and improve safety for women and girls.

The council said it will work with Lambeth council to introduce a network of “safe havens” across both boroughs, where businesses are trained to offer support to anyone who feels unsafe or who has been harassed.

A Safe Haven sign in their window tells people where they can get assistance.

Street-based staff in both boroughs, such as street wardens and the council’s new town centre task force aimed at reducing crime, will be trained on how to make sure women are safe.

National research and the council’s own survey shows that street harassment is one of the most common forms of gender-based harm.

The council said its campaign aims to show how “everyday” sexist behaviour props up a culture where men and boys are violent towards women and girls.

It hopes to inspire men and boys to challenge their own behaviour and that of others.

Girls and women will be able to say where they feel safe or unsafe in the borough using a new reporting channel set up by the council, with users able to highlight locations on a map via a website.

Southwark councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Women and girls should be able to walk our streets without fear or intimidation.

“It is not for them to adapt their behaviour to avoid unwanted attention or to feel safe.

“With this funding, we are looking at all the ways we can strengthen our work to make Southwark a safer place to live and visit.

“We know bad behaviour is not bound by borders, so working with Lambeth is vital.

“In Southwark, we are getting to the root of the issue by speaking directly with men and boys as vital allies.

“We are asking women and girls to report their experiences so we can better understand the problem.

“We are working with local businesses to turn them into safe spaces where people in distress can turn.

“We are training street-based staff so they know how best to respond to and support women’s safety.”

The Safer Streets Fund was launched in 2020 by the Home Office. It offers councils and Police Commissioners the chance to apply for funding for crime prevention plans.

Pictured top: Southwark council offices (Picture: Steven Craven)