SWaN gets moving!

EXETER’S Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) Charter continues to gain momentum after it was relaunched to members old and new recently.

The relaunch event, held at The Terrace in the Guildhall, saw many local businesses gather to hear how charter membership has grown to over 161 registered businesses since January.

A presentation outlined the strides made by each workstream as part of Safer Exeter’s Safer Streets project one of which is the SWaN Charter - a voluntary pledge to prioritise the safety of women and to acknowledge it is all our responsibility to take practical steps together to keep our city safe for everyone.

Peter Scargill, chair of Exeter’s Community Safety Partnership, said the Charter helps address the causes and effects of violence against women and girls in our city.

“The Charter and associated toolkit gives businesses a framework in which to show their commitment to keeping all women and girls safe,” he said.

“In signing the charter, they make a voluntary commitment to deliver its pledges and commitments.

“We will ask businesses to recommit to the charter annually but we will help them to deliver by providing regular training updates, signposting to specialist providers and guidance, and sharing national best practice.

“We encourage anyone planning to go out in the city to look for stickers displayed in venues to show they have signed the Charter so you know they are committed to keeping you safe.

“If your local pub isn’t showing a sticker ask if they have signed the charter and if not, why not?”

You can find out which organisations have signed up to the charter or, how your organisation can sign up, here: exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-city/ community-safety/safety-ofwomen-at-night-charter/ committing-to-the-charter/

Safer Exeter will soon be launching its educational toolkit which focusses on attitudinal change and raising awareness to prevent street harassment.

There will be two toolkits - which will include informative videos - one will target primary school children and another for young people of secondary school age.

The former will focus on changing attitudes to women and girls as there is a lot of evidence to show that disrespect and aggressive behaviour are dyed in early.

The kit delivered in secondary schools will be focussed on preventing street harassment.

The toolkit has been produced by Exeter University and delivery will be coordinated through the Exeter Education Alliance, a collective of education providers in the city including the University, College, Ted Wragg Trust and Exeter Learning Academy Trust and others.