| The City of London Crime Prevention Association (CoLCPA) is encouraging London-based businesses to engage with the BE LADS Campaign to help educate men on the role they can play in tackling violence against women and girls. Launched in the wake of the tragic case of Sarah Everard case, “BE LADS” is an acronym for advice men and boys can follow to help women and girls feel safer when walking alone. The campaign raises awareness of issues surrounding women’s safety – including sexual assault – without vilifying men or victimising women, and has been adopted by law enforcement, schools, community groups and corporate organisations across the UK, including the Chelsea FC Foundation and Royal British Legion. CoLCPA Chairman, Don Randall MBE, said combatting violence against women and girls is a priority for the organisation. “We want to see the City of London become a place where everyone, whether they are residents, workers, or visitors, feels safe. We cannot ignore that crimes such as sexual assault and domestic abuse disproportionately affect women, so we are unapologetically focusing our initial efforts on protecting women. “Men have a fundamental role to play in improving safety for women, and the BE LADS Campaign is a highly effective initiative to give practical advice to men who want to help. BE LADS adds great value, support, and a fresh dimension to our various consortium activities to prevent violence against women. I hope to see many City of London organisations engage with BE LADS.” The BE LADS Campaign has also been embraced by City of London Police, with sessions delivered to over 500 officers and staff, the largest uptake of any police force in the UK. BE LADS Founder, Poppy Murray, said she was encouraged by the commitment of CoLCPA and City of London Police to helping women feel safer. “The issue of safety when walking alone is one which affects all women, regardless of their demographic. The BE LADS Campaign is built on the understanding that most men are not threats to women, but all men can do something to help women feel safer. “The Sarah Everard case, along with many others including Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa, irrefutably validated women’s worst fears of not being safe walking alone. Sadly, 80% of women in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in a public space; women have no way to know when they may be in danger, or who a perpetrator may be. Following the BE LADS advice provides men with simple, effective tools to help indicate that they are not a threat to a woman walking alone.” The 2024 City of London Serious Violence Duty strategy highlighted the City’s small residential population, stating “the strategy should focus on reducing threats and vulnerabilities associated with the City’s much larger worker and visitor population” and that tackling VAWG is an important inclusion. Miss Murray commented: “With over 500,000 daily commuters to the City, it is hugely important for businesses to ensure their workforce is educated on how they can better support and protect one another. “The call for businesses to act responsibly, support the well-being of their staff, and have a positive impact on their local community is ever increasing. BE LADS sessions give practical safety advice, equips attendees with tools to start conversations about women’s safety with their peers, friends, and family – including children – and promotes a positive, inclusive culture. “The feedback from corporate sessions has been overwhelmingly positive and proves that small changes can have a big impact both within the workplace and the wider community.” To find out more about how the BE LADS Campaign could benefit your organisation, visit www.belads.co.uk or email info@belads.co.uk |