We spoke to students about what it's like to be a young woman in Liverpool, and many are concerned about their safety.
Speaking to female students around the University of Liverpool campus about their experience in the city, many brought up a fear for their safety, particularly on nights out. Female students were worried about drink spiking, and the best way to safely get home on a night out.
Many said they felt that Liverpool was like most other major UK cities, if slightly safer because of the famous Scouse friendliness, and they would be concerned for their safety in any big city at night.
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Nicole Scott, a student from the Wirral, said: "I know people who have had worse experiences than me on nights out, things like men in clubs being creepy or touching you inappropriately, or being cat called on the street. Everybody talks about it like it's just a normal part of being a woman.
"I do think Scouse girls are quite supportive, which makes you feel safer, because you know if anything were to happen you'd have a lot of support. Like random girls you meet on a night out are quite supportive."
Laura Grobarova, a student from Slovakia, said: "I think drink spiking happens more here than it does back in Slovakia. But then it could be that over here people are more open about it because they want to raise awareness, so you hear about it more."
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Liv Stone, a Politics student at the University of Liverpool, said: "I don't think Liverpool is that different to other cities in the UK in terms of your experience as a woman, but that could just be because I live in a more student-y area compared to other parts of the city.
"We're in a bit of a uni bubble, so I think you're just as concerned about your safety here as you would be in another city, like worried about your drink getting spiked and stuff."
Maria Roantree, a PPE student at the University of Liverpool, added: "One thing that would make me feel safer is if they brought back the 86 bus as a 24 hour service instead of just during the day. It can be quite difficult getting home from a night out safely without the bus because you're either spending loads on a taxi or risking walking home."
Lucy McEwan, a PPE student at the University of Liverpool, said: "My course is quite female dominated, so I think my experience as a woman has less to do with uni and more to do with nightlife. Although, I usually feel quite safe especially around Smithdown like I'll happily walk home around there when it's dark. I'm from Belfast so I'm not sure if that's just because I'm from a bit a rough area almost."
Merseyside Police recently rolled out its Safer Streets campaign in a bid to improve women’s feelings of safety across the region. Speaking about the campaign, Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “It’s totally unacceptable that many women and girls still don’t feel safe using public transport or out about in our region, particularly at night.
“There is No Excuse for sexual violence. Through Safer Streets Merseyside, we are taking a multi-faceted approach to tackling it – not just challenging perpetrators and unacceptable behaviour but also looking to change attitudes, while taking practical steps to make sure women feel safer and give them the confidence to report incidents and seek support.
“This campaign will build on the hard work from last year and is an essential part of our ongoing commitment to bring about change for thousands of women across our region now, and into the future.”
Chief Superintendent Ngaire Waine, Merseyside Police, said: “Liverpool has been awarded Purple Flag status for the past 12 years and is one of the safest cities in the UK. We know that people travel far from far and wide to enjoy what is on offer here and we want that to continue.
“We work closely with partners including local authorities, universities, public health and support services to ensure that all visitors to the city can enjoy their time here. We deploy additional officers, in key locations on busy nights or at important events, who are tasked with identifying anyone who is displaying signs of predatory behaviour such as loitering without good reason, or giving or approaching females with unwanted attention. Bar staff are also trained to spot signs of predatory behaviour and safeguard anyone affected.
"Bystander training has also been given to licensed premises and other partners to help members of staff identify individuals and officers are also asked to be aware of anyone who may present as vulnerable and consider any immediate safeguarding concerns.”
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