Right to Move: The freedom to move is a human right
Women shouldn’t bear the responsibility to protect themselves in public spaces this winter. It’s on all of us to change our behaviour
#StopSupportReport
Stop and offer your help
Support the person to safety
Report it if they want to
“Share your location”
“Stay on the phone”
“Text me when you get home”
Gendered violence happens on the streets and in the home no matter the time of day. Black and brown women, LGBTQI+ people, refugee and disabled women all face disproportionate levels of gendered violence.
However as the clocks go back, the days get darker and the nights get longer. Women still want to move outdoors, but they don’t feel safe to.
Instead, they’re forced to take extra protection measures to stay safe when moving through public spaces. But it shouldn’t have to be that way.
The responsibility falls on all of us – regardless of our gender – to protect women’s Right to Move. Many people worry how and when to intervene and instead of supporting women they walk away. We want everyone, especially men, to see how straightforward and safe it is to #StopSupportReport.
95% of women don’t report sexual harassment
We all have a role to play in changing this
#StopSupportReport
Stop and offer your help
If it’s safe to do so, stop and offer your help to the person experiencing harassment (not the perpetrator).
You could:
- Distract from the situation
- Ask for directions
- Make eye contact with the target and give them the opportunity to ask you for help
Remember, don’t put yourself in danger. Only offer your help if it’s safe to do so. Focus on the person being targeted, not the perpetrator.
Support the person to safety
Ask the person what would make them feel safe and then support them to safety.
You could offer to:
- Walk them to a busy area
- Flag down a taxi for them
- Stay with them until their bus or train arrives
- Wait together until a friend can meet them
It’s important that your support is shaped around what would make the person feel safe. This might look different from the support that you would like for yourself.
Report it if they want to
Offer to help the person report the incident if they feel comfortable doing so.
Someone else’s choice may not be the same as yours, you can share helpful information but let them come to their own decision and respect that.
You could offer to:
- Call 999
- Text British Transport Police on 61016
- Contact the security or management team of the event or space
If you believe someone’s life is in danger please call 999 immediately.
Right to Move is part of UN Women UK’s Safe Spaces Now programme
UN Women UK’s Safe Spaces Now programme is working to create a world where women and girls feel safe in public spaces, across the whole of the UK.
The programme brings together governments, local authorities, public services, transport providers, event organisers and more to change the way the UK’s public spaces are set up for women.
UN Women UK: the only organisation working towards gender equality at all levels, in all areas of society
Right now, we’re facing a 300-year wait for gender equality.
Women’s rights are being abused, threatened, and violated around the world. Progress won over decades is vanishing before our eyes.
Here at UN Women UK, we’re combating this through collective action at all levels of society – from governments to corporates, communities to individuals.
We’re here to ensure that every woman and girl has access to safety, choice and a voice. In the UK and around the world.
