As a joint project with all of the colleges and universities in Herefordshire, West Mercia Police have undertaken an initiative to support students with a month-long campaign aimed at tackling violence and the fear of violence against women and girls in the county.
Through the Safer Streets project, West Mercia Police have produced and provided a pack of media assets along with merchandise to be shared with students throughout February to raise awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls, this also coincides with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week from 6-12thFebruary.
Six student bases are onboard with the latest project, specifically supporting students across the county, delivering the message and signposting support for all students.
Mary Kenyon-James, Head of Student Experience at New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE)comments: “NMITE fully endorses an initiative that seeks to ensure that no-one should live in fear of abuse; we look forward to working in partnership with other Higher Education Institutes and colleges in Hereford to raise awareness and empower students to challenge and speak up that violence against women and girls is not ok.
One of NMITE’s core aims is to increase the number of female engineering undergraduates, therefore it’s vital that we ensure they have the safety and emotional security to succeed in their ambitions. All of our students need to know that there is no place in Herefordshire for sexual abuse and violence.”
NMITE is joined by Herefordshire and Ludlow College Campus, Royal National College For The Blind, Hereford Sixth Form College, Hereford College of Arts and National Star, Hereford to make this a joint, county-wide campaign.
Bev Jackson, Head of Student Services & DSL, agrees: “at Herefordshire and Ludlow College, we understand the importance of keeping our students safe as well as ensuring they understand there is no place for violence against women.”
Inspector Julz Watson says: “The safer streets project aims to reduce Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) and raise awareness about unacceptable behaviour towards women and girls.
Males are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of sexual harassment in public places and it is believed that at times they are unaware that their behaviour is unacceptable and has made a woman or girl uncomfortable.
This student focused campaign aims to start a conversation that challenges ideas around the acceptability of sexual harassment in public places.
We encourage family, friends and peers to step up, speak up and challenge an unacceptable behaviour.”
It’s not OK.
To find out how you can join in with the Safer Streets initiative in Herefordshire, please go to: https://timeforchange.info.
