A new partnership website has been launched to help people feel safer when visiting Nottingham city centre, particularly women and girls.
The Safe Space Notts website – www.safespacenotts.com – brings together information about accredited Safe Spaces across the city, making it easier for residents and visitors to find venues where they can ask for support if they feel unsafe, unwell or harassed.
The website has been developed by established community safety partners Consent Coalition and It’s in Nottingham, backed by the Nottinghamshire Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Police.
The new website will help to:
- Improve visibility of accredited Safe Spaces
- Support public awareness and empowerment
- Enhance community safety in the city centre
- Enable access to specialist violence against women and girls (VAWG) resources and training
- Strengthen partnership work to tackle VAWG
Councillor Corall Jenkins, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Waste and Equalities added: “As a city, we are absolutely committed to making Nottingham a place where women and girls feel safe, supported, and respected wherever they are.
The Safe Spaces work has already been crucial in driving that change, giving women confidence that there are trusted venues ready to offer help if they need it.
“The launch of the Safe Space Notts website takes this commitment even further. By bringing all accredited Safe Spaces together on one clear and accessible platform, we’re making safety visible, empowering the public to know exactly where support is available, and strengthening the network of businesses who are stepping up to play their part.”
Alex Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Nottingham Business Improvement District, said:“Nottingham’s leisure economy is one of its strengths and is a big attraction to thousands of visitors, so it’s important that we work hard to make this vibrant scene even safer. Schemes like the Safe Space Pledge, delivered by our dedicated city centre venues, and backed by It’s in Nottingham and partners, are part of our commitment that nobody should feel vulnerable in our city.
“We know that our investment in this new website will create even more awareness of the Safe Space Pledge, and spread the message that wherever you go in Nottingham city centre, we’re working to give everyone a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Nottinghamshire’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, and strategic lead for tackling violence against women and girls, Angela Kandola, said: “The launch of the Safe Space website represents a significant step forward in our shared mission to make Nottingham a city where women and girls not only are safe, but feel safe.
“We know that improving visibility, awareness, and access to trusted support can make a real difference.
“This partnership shows exactly what can be achieved when local organisations come together with a clear purpose.
“By strengthening the network of trained, accredited Safe Spaces across our city centre, we are empowering people to seek help when they need it and ensuring that support is never far away.”
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Leona Scurr, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “As a police service we are committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to tackle violence against women and girls and to make our city and county even safer places to live, work and visit.
“This new website is a really helpful resource for our residents and visitors, providing information and support to help ensure women and girls in Nottingham feel safe.
“As demonstrated through our own Walk in My Shoes campaign, we will continue to work together to deliver positive change and make a real difference to the lives and safety of women and girls.”
ENDS
Notes:
This announcement has been developed in partnership with It’s in Nottingham, the Consent Coalition, Nottinghamshire Police and the Nottinghamshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
About the Safe Space Pledge
The Safe Space Pledge was created by It’s in Nottingham and the Consent Coalition, supported by the Nottinghamshire Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Police.
Over the past five years, the project has been working to keep women and girls safe in the city, developed in collaboration with local women’s groups and specialists in Nottingham’s sexual violence and domestic abuse sector. Cafés, pubs, shops and other venues across Nottingham city centre have signed up to the pledge, committing to offer a safe, supportive environment to anyone who needs help.
On the new Safe Space Notts website, these venues are shown on an interactive map, making it simple for people to find their nearest Safe Space. More than 65 city centre businesses have already signed up and taken part in staff training to help them offer reassurance, listen and guide people to further help if needed.