Leeds City Council urges women to have their say on safety

Women who live, work and visit Leeds City centre are being encouraged to have their say in a survey which has been created to ensure that Leeds is a safer and more comfortable place.

The survey is an opportunity for women and girls to talk about their experiences and the results will inform the work the council and its partners do to make Leeds a safe place.

It’s not a reporting tool and any experience stated will not be reported to the police. If people need to report a crime, they should call 101.

Individuals who identify as non-binary or women are encouraged to participate and express their perspectives.

Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s executive member for resources with responsibility for Safer Leeds, said: “We have a firm commitment in Leeds to ensure that the city is a safe place for all women and girls. We’ve got many great initiatives already happening in Leeds to put an end to violence and harassment, including the Ask for Angela campaign which has over 600 bars and restaurants already signed up to and the successful women’s night safe bus, located outside the Corn Exchange every Saturday evening. However, it’s now crucial that we hear from as many women and girls, from all backgrounds, faiths and religions and who use or live in our city centre to share their experiences so we can shape the future of our city.”

Emily Turner, Project Manager at Women’s Lives Leeds, said: “Building on the successful Women’s Safety Survey by Women’s Lives Leeds in 2021, this is a vital opportunity for us to see the city centre through the eyes of the women who work, visit and live in it. Along with our partners at the council, we prioritise listening to the realities of the feelings and experiences of safety for women in Leeds.

The work that the Women and Girls Alliance Leeds do, alongside our partners, to tackle violence against all women and girls in the city centre will be shaped by the responses we receive, so it’s important they have autonomy in the decisions made to their daily lives.

“We have an incredible amount of responses so far and the more that women share the link, the better chances our community gets to have all of their voices heard.