mayor of london Archives | Stop Street Harassment

EVAW’s efforts to make London the safest city for women in the world

April 30, 2012 By HKearl

Will London become the safest city in the world for women?

Maybe!

This is the goal of the Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition in London and they’re working hard to make it happen.

And of course, the absence of street harassment and public sexual assault is a requirement for any safe city.

I recently chatted via skype with the EVAW director Holly Dustin and found out that they are working to address street harassment/harassment on public transportation and while these are relatively new issues for them, already they’re having a lot of success because it is such a big problem for women in London.

To gather data (we always need more research!!), they conducted a YouGov poll about harassment on the London public transportation system.

They write that the poll: “revealed that more than a quarter of women in London do not always feel safe while using public transport. Many survey respondents said they wanted action on station staffing, lighting and policing. Feeling unsafe puts many more women than men off using the buses and trains at certain times, or in certain places, and urgently needs addressing by the transport authorities and as such by the mayor. We received wide London media coverage for our findings which seemed to strike a chord.”

It even struck a chord with the candidates for Mayor of London. EVAW has successfully lobbied each one to pledge to improve women’s safety if elected, including by addressing sexual harassment and assault on public transportation. Here are the manifestos by candidates Siobhan Benita, Boris Johnson Ken Livingstone and Brian Paddick. Elections are this week.

This is the 10-point plan EVAW suggests the new Mayor will need to take on in order to make London the safest city for women.

Additionally, the 2012 Summer Olympics will be held in London and EVAW is working hard on a campaign to make sure the city IS safe for everyone during it.

Siobhan Benita, candidate for Mayor of London, promises to address street harassment

April 18, 2012 By HKearl

Siobhan Benita is an Independent candidate for Mayor of London and like Labour candidate Ken Livingstone, she promises in her campaign platform to “tackle the harassment of women and girls in public spaces in London and on our transport system” (page 14).

It’s great to see multiple candidates treat this as the serious issue it is. Elections are May 3. Best of luck, Siobhan!

London candidate for mayor proposes campaign against street harassment!

April 11, 2012 By HKearl

On May 3, 2012, there will be an election for Mayor of London. This is the fourth election since the office of Mayor of London was created in 2000. Ken Livingstone is the candidate for the Labour party and he is seeking a third, non-consecutive term.

Last week he released a series of plans he hopes to implement if he’s elected that he thinks will make London safer. I’m excited to see that addressing street harassment is part of his plan!

“Ken will lead a campaign against sexual harassment in London’s public places to send a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”

This is not the first time he’s mentioned street harassment. In September 2010, the UK Anti-Street Harassment Campaign sent a letter to him about street harassment and he has agreed to add street harassment to his campaign agenda. He wrote,

“I am concerned about street harassment of women and believe there is far more we need to do to tackle this problem.

I believe we should consider tougher deterrents and punishments to tackle this crime. We also need to provide far greater support for the victims of street harassment and other crimes.

This is an issue that needs to be taken more seriously, not just by the police but our schools, parents and the wider community.

It is essential that we send a clear message that street harassment of women is wrong and will not be tolerated.”

It’s pretty exciting to see a viable candidate for mayor of a major international city like London acknowledge that street harassment is a problem and one that warrants attention! Thanks, Ken, and best of luck on May 3.