A campaign to help increase women's safety, particularly around the transport network, has been launched across Merseyside in time for the summer holidays.

The aim of Safer Streets is to tackle Violence against Women and Girls by making it clear to perpetrators that there is 'No Excuse' for behaviours such as catcalling and unwanted sexual comments, groping and uninvited touching. It also encourages anyone affected by sexual violence to reach out for support.

The campaign is just one aspect of Safer Streets Merseyside project which was developed following a survey, run by Merseyside’s Police and Commissioner (PCC), Emily Spurrell, which showed 54% of women felt unsafe using public transport in Merseyside at night and nearly 42% had concerns about using it in the day.

It has also enabled the campaign to be scaled up to deliver:

  • A ‘guardian project’, with LJMU student volunteers trained to provide support to those who need it in Liverpool’s night-time economy, such as helping people get home or providing emotional support.
  • Enhanced high visibility CCTV coverage along key bus routes used by students and other young people to head into and out of the city centre at night.
  • Travel centres at each of the bus stations, creating ‘safe spaces’ for anyone who feels vulnerable within travel centres at each of the bus stations.
  • An increased uniformed police presence in transport hubs and along Liverpool’s dedicated student bus routes and into the night-time economy at peak times on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as dedicated student event nights.
  • Educational training extended to reach more than 130 primary schools across the region raising awareness of staying safe online, sexual harassment and misogyny.
  • A new adult education programme looking to challenge misogynistic language and attitudes using a creative resource and digital activity which is anticipated to reach up to 53,000 employees across the region.

Its promotional artwork will be featured on Merseyrail trains, at the region’s bus stations and in key locations, such as the city and town centres and by the region’s beaches and retail parks during the six-week break.

It will also be featured on local radio stations.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: "We are determined to make our region feel safer and be safer for women and girls, so I'm pleased we are once again rolling out our powerful visual campaign in time for the busy summer holidays, sending out a clear message once again that there is No Excuse for sexual violence.

"This campaign is an important way I am delivering on my region-wide VAWG Delivery Plan which sets out a clear ambition to protect women and girls who live, work and visit Merseyside, prevent violence and pursue offenders. We’re making progress – but there’s still more work to be done."