The Tower Hamlets Labour Party has submitted a motion on women’s safety to be considered by the council on July 19th. The motion calls for more action from the council and its partners to prevent and tackle violence against women and girls in the borough.
The motion recognises that many women and girls in Tower Hamlets face harassment, assault and violence in public and private spaces, which affects their freedom, dignity and wellbeing.
Tower Hamlets has very high levels of domestic abuse and sexual offences reported to the police, as well as 14 domestic homicides since 2011. In Tower Hamlets on average 6000 domestic abuse incidents are reported to the police each year. Last year 2,082 sexual offences were reported, of which 1348 were non-rape offences and 734 rape offences.
The motion sets out a series of measures that the Council will take to improve women’s safety, including:
Launching a public advertising campaign to raise awareness and challenge violence against women and girls, and to communicate the council’s commitment to women’s safety.
– Strengthening the enforcement partnership between the council, the police and other agencies, and using innovative anti-social behaviour legislation to fine individuals who harass and cat-call women on our streets.
– Increasing the visibility and effectiveness of CCTV cameras across the borough and informing residents of their locations and operation.
– Organising women’s safety community meetings to connect residents with the council and the police, and to address their concerns and suggestions on how to improve women’s safety in Tower Hamlets.
Cllr Sabina Khan, who is proposing the motion said:
“Women’s safety is a human right that must be protected and promoted by everyone, especially men. We cannot tolerate any form of violence against women and girls in our society. As a council, we must be committed to taking action to make Tower Hamlets a safer place for all women and girls. We must work with our partners and communities to raise awareness, challenge attitudes, enforce the law and support survivors. We will not rest until every woman and girl in our borough feels safe, respected and empowered.”
Cllr Rebaka Sultana, who is seconding the motion said:
“As a woman in Tower Hamlets, I know how important it is to feel safe in your own neighbourhood. I also know how devastating it can be when you experience harassment or violence. We must use every tool at our disposal to prevent and tackle violence against women and girls in our borough. We must listen to the voices of women and girls who have lived through these experiences and involve them in shaping our solutions. Together, we can make Tower Hamlets a place where every woman and girl can live free from fear.”
