Wandsworth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Wandsworth Council has partnered with the Safer Business Network to launch the Safe Haven scheme, strengthening efforts to tackle violence against women.
Companies have agreed to share in the Safe Havens program, which offers temporary sanctum to anyone in need.
Staff at the Safe Havens can offer a temporary haven of safety, communicate with a friend or a hack, offer a drink of water, charge a phone, or call emergency services if someone feels alarmed, worn, ill, or simply needs help.
Libraries, the Battersea trades Centre, restaurants like MEATliquor and Oddono’s in Battersea, and bars like King’s Head in Roehampton and the Prince of Wales in Putney have all inked on therefore far. The response from original businesses has been favorable.
The Safe Haven logo is displayed on a noticeboard or inside the windows of sharing establishments.
John Busuioc, deputy manager of the King’s Head, said:
“We are proud to join the Safe Haven scheme and welcome its positive impact on our community. Our participation demonstrates a clear commitment to work in partnership with the council, keeping people safe, supported, and connected when they need it most.”
Cabinet Member for Health Graeme Henderson said:
“Wandsworth is the safest inner London borough, but we recognise there are times that people, especially women and girls, might feel concerned about their safety or insecure. This scheme enables our community to have a place of safety where they can easily get help from some of the local businesses that are such an important part of our community.”
Additionally, they have teamed with WalkSafe+, whose free personal safety app will feature Safe Havens. Additionally, the WalkSafe+ app has digital features like journey sharing, an SOS button in case users feel unsafe, and automatic notifications if they don’t get home in time.
The council’s larger efforts to prevent and address violence against women and girls (VAWG) are closely related to the Safe Haven initiative. They have doubled our investment in addressing VAWG, which includes a variety of specialized services for victim-survivors of domestic abuse, monthly Safe Space outside Clapham Junction station, and “Active Bystander” awareness-raising sessions that empower the public to intervene if they witness sexual harassment in public places when it is safe to do so.
To demonstrate support for women, Wandsworth residents can also participate in the White Ribbon Torch Parade in Roehampton on November 25. The SW15 Women’s Network is in charge of organizing the parade, which has municipal approval.
How will the scheme be promoted to vulnerable residents and visitors?
Registered Safe Haven venues will display the Safe Haven totem prominently to gesture support and safety to those in need. The scheme will be integrated with technology tools similar to the WalkSafe app, which highlights Safe Havens on charts and offers safety features like SOS buttons and trip sharing.
Wandsworth Council will engage in community outreach and mindfulness juggernauts targeting vulnerable groups, including collaboration with original businesses, charities, and community associations. Staff at Safe Havens will be trained to identify and help vulnerable individualities sensitively, adding trust and encouraging use of the scheme.
Promotion may involve circulars, bills, and direct communication in public spaces visited by residents and callers. The council will work to bed the scheme mindfulness in wider violence against women and girls( VAWG) forestallment enterprise, icing that support services and information reach those most at threat.
