Call for statutory agencies to make Derry city centre 'accessible for everyone'
90% of survey respondents said they had not reported sexual assaults, unwanted advances and assaults to police
There has been a call for statutory agencies to "step up" and make Derry city centre "accessible for everyone".
It resulted from a recent survey in which women in Derry were asked to give their thoughts on their perception of safety in the city centre, carried out by Aontú's Ballyarnett representative, Emmet Doyle.
Mr Doyle said the survey had concluded that "the city centre is not safe for women, particularly at night".
He added: "In recent weeks I have carried out an online survey in relation to women’s safety in the city centre both during the day and at night and was shocked not just by the number of responses – over 1,300, but the sheer scale of fear and frustration felt by many women, and how many simply avoid the city centre when they can.
"The headline results indicated that only 67 of the respondents felt safe in the city centre at night, with a whopping 76.9% agreeing that threats to their personal safety meant they visited the city centre at night less.
"Fear of assault (79.8%), Men or women loitering (78%) and lack of availability of transport (76.1%) were the most prevalent issues that respondents felt compromised their safety in the city centre at night, it was closely followed by the risk of spiking, which was rates by 68% of those responding, a statistic that personally shocked me.
"Many of the comments left by respondents highlighted the fear of crime, being followed, fear of those under the influence of drink or drugs and the inability to get safely home as key issues for them," said Mr Doyle.
90% of survey respondents said they had not reported sexual assaults, unwanted advances and assaults to police.
According to Mr Doyle, the primary reason being given was that women did not believe it would be taken seriously (64.1%).
"All of these figures paint a very serious picture that is not garnering enough attention in my opinion by the statutory agencies such as the police and housing authorities, and those funded to carry out certain activities to keep people safe," he said.
"This wasn’t a scientific survey, but the results should serve as a wake-up call not only to men more generally, but also to the police, bars, and restaurants that are losing potential customers because they are afraid to come into the city centre at night.
"I am now working alongside a group of women to meet with statutory agencies and anyone with responsibility for safety to seek a remedy to some of these issues. As a city, we cannot stand by and allow these issues to go unaddressed, especially at a time when crimes against women and girls are on the increase,” said Mr Doyle.
Area Commander of Derry City & Strabane, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: "It's crucial women and girls have confidence in police, to know that we, as a Police Service, are working on their behalf. We are working with partners and in communities every day to make a real and lasting difference to change attitudes and behaviours, and create safer communities free of violence for women and girls.
"We are listening to the voices of women in our community, and hear their views on what more needs to be done as a society to create an environment in which women and girls can feel and be safe.
"Tackling violence against women and girls is our priority and I dedicate resources every day to relentlessly pursue perpetrators and bring people before the Courts.
“However, we know there are women and girls out there who are still suffering in silence. Our message is to please report to us. We want to help you and we want to see that justice is served to those who have hurt you in any way.”