Announcing the "Freedom to Roam - Empowering Women’s Journeys" Campaign: Why It's Essential to Empower Women to #OwnYourSpace, and Why We're Leading the Charge

Announcing the "Freedom to Roam - Empowering Women’s Journeys" Campaign: Why It's Essential to Empower Women to #OwnYourSpace and Why We're Leading the Charge

In an age where access to public spaces should be a universal right, the harsh reality is that many women still face profound challenges during their daily commutes. Alarmingly, The British Transport Police’s 2023/2024 annual report highlights that there has been a reported 15% increase in incidents related to women's safety on public transportation over the past year. This statistic underscores the critical need for comprehensive strategies and initiatives to tackle these persistent safety challenges and ensures that women feel secure and empowered in public spaces.

Recently, acclaimed actress Saoirse Ronan has drawn attention to the alarming dangers women face in public spaces, emphasising the urgent necessity for societal change in an interview with Graham Norton. While Ronan is not affiliated with the "Freedom to Roam" campaign, her insights echo the concerns that have driven our work for years. We at the Stay Safe Global Charitable Trust have been tirelessly dedicated to addressing these issues, long before they garnered widespread attention. We trialled a small sample for this campaign and the results were astounding. As we approach White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Activism, the alignment of Ronan's advocacy with our cause reinforces the importance of our mission. We are now poised to share the comprehensive actions we are taking, detailing not only our motivations but also the substantial impact we seek to generate through this campaign.

The "Freedom to Roam" campaign aims to address these concerns head-on by gathering firsthand narratives that illuminate the pervasive issues surrounding women's safety in public spaces. We recognise that public transport and urban environments must be transformed into safe havens where everyone, including women, can navigate freely without the shadow of fear or threat. As a result, we invite individuals from all walks of life to join us, lending their voices and resources to create a future where women can traverse public spaces with the safety and dignity they deserve.

Why This Campaign Matters

The need for the "Freedom to Roam" campaign is both urgent and undeniable. Every day, women encounter situations that leave them feeling vulnerable or unsafe, affecting their quality of life and restricting their freedom. As per the British Transport Police's annual report, the rise in safety incidents on public transport is both distressing and unacceptable. The increase in reports of harassment and violence against women is a stark reminder of the urgent need for change. It underscores the necessity for our "Freedom to Roam" campaign to implement swift and decisive actions. We cannot allow these statistics to define the experiences of women navigating public spaces. Instead, we must channel our collective determination to create a safer, more equitable environment for all. Our campaign prioritises these issues, urging both public engagement and systematic policy reforms essential for long-term safety improvements. There is no room for complacency; the time to act is now, and together, we can forge pathways to safer communities. By documenting and sharing these experiences, we aim to empower women and provide policymakers with the evidence they need to implement effective safety measures. Our campaign will serve as a powerful tool for advocacy, ensuring that women's voices are heard and that real, actionable change follows.

Why We Are the Right People for the Job

The Stay Safe Global Charitable Trust has spent over two decades at the forefront of efforts to improve safety and equality for vulnerable individuals. Our rich history, rooted in the grassroots support of survivors of violence, uniquely positions us to drive this campaign. Our survivor-centric approach ensures that every initiative resonates with the needs and insights of those directly affected. We maintain an extensive network of experts, policymakers, and community leaders, which we will mobilise to advocate for safer public spaces effectively.

Our track record of collaborating with strategic partners to create inclusive environments speaks to our capability and commitment. SSGCT's initiatives have consistently honoured the experiences of marginalised groups, drawing from lived experiences to craft solutions that are both empathetic and effective.

What We Hope to Achieve Through This Campaign

Our overarching aim with the "Freedom to Roam" campaign is to catalyse a fundamental shift in how public safety for women is perceived and implemented. We aspire to create an environment where women's safety is prioritised not just in policy but in daily reality. By compiling comprehensive data and personal narratives, we aim to give a voice to those who have been unheard and advocate for actionable policy reforms that address these safety concerns at their core. We seek to foster a societal mindset that regards safety in public spaces as a fundamental right for all individuals, regardless of gender. Our efforts focus on collaborating with local governments, organisations, and communities to implement practical measures, and feeding back our findings to the Head of Women’s Safety and Inclusive Travel at the UK Department for Transport. Additionally, we are committed to raising public awareness and engagement, ensuring that this campaign translates into tangible, sustained changes that empower women to navigate their world with confidence and security.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Our call to action is clear: together, we have the power to reshape public spaces into zones of comfort and safety for women. By participating in the "Freedom to Roam" campaign, you contribute your voice to a collective movement striving for justice and equality. Join us in this critical endeavour to ensure every woman can commute without fear, and be part of the change that transforms public spaces into safe communities for all.

How to Take Part

1. **What We’re Asking For**: 

- Please record a **90-second video** of your daily commute or journey through public spaces (e.g., streets, public transport, parks).
- You can narrate your experience as you film or record a voiceover after the event. Share how safe or unsafe you feel, describing any challenges or concerns you have.
- Reflecting on a previous experience is equally valuable. You can also describe a past situation that made you feel unsafe and how it impacts your behaviour now. Describing the safety steps you take or your feelings during this journey is just as valuable in helping us understand how these experiences shape current behaviour. 

2. **Anonymity and Privacy**:

   - Your **video will be anonymised**. However, your **voice** will be used as part of the narration.    - We ask that you **omit specific start and end points** of your journey and avoid filming any identifiable landmarks, addresses, or personal information.
-Please avoid filming faces of the public where possible. You are legally allowed to film faces in public spaces, however trains are not considered public spaces.

3.  **Safety First**:

•       Please do not actively seek out troublesome or unsafe situations. We are only looking for footage of a standard journey through public spaces—there is no need to capture any potentially risky behaviour.

•       Your safety is our top priority. If at any point filming makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please stop immediately. Never film anything that makes you concerned for your safety.

•       Discreet filming is recommended. Please avoid drawing attention or putting yourself at risk. Your well-being is far more important than any footage you might capture.

•       Participation is completely voluntary. Nobody is under any obligation to take part, and anyone can withdraw at any point if they no longer wish to participate.

•       Avoid filming start and end points to protect your location.

•       Use discreet techniques, like holding the camera at waist level, to avoid attention.

•       Focus on non-identifiable landmarks to maintain privacy.

•       Exclude identifying information to keep anonymity.

•       Plan to film in safe, well-lit areas, at busier times of day.

•       Stay aware of your surroundings for safety.

•       Inform a trusted person about your filming plans.

•       Review footage to ensure no identifiable details are present. 

4.  **Submission Guidelines**:

-   Keep your video to **90 seconds** in length.
-   Before submitting, please review the video to ensure no identifying details are visible.
-   please submit via email to info@staysafeglobal.com or to @staysafeglobal on instagram 

5. **Your Participation**:

-   This is a **voluntary campaign**, and you can withdraw your submission at any time.
-   By participating, you help us highlight important issues and advocate for safer public spaces for women. 

For more information and to take part in this campaign, please contact us at info@staysafeglobal.com or follow us on Instagram @staysafeglobal. Together, let's create a world where freedom extends to every corner of our communities and help women to #ownyourspace