Lighting could be installed in Woodhouse Moor to make it ‘more welcoming for women’

Ria Sharma on 2 February 2024

It is hoped that a community artwork and lighting project could make Woodhouse Moor more welcoming for women.

Woodhouse Moor is the most visited park in the city with 3 million visitors a year and is a student favourite because of its location next to the University of Leeds.

But the park, which has no street lighting, is pitch black at night which, according to some residents, has led to it becoming synonymous with criminal behaviour.

Sara Sheikh, who lives in Hyde Park, says: “I think it’s dangerous that the park doesn’t have any lights, especially being so close to the university and accommodation, at night it makes it unwelcome and scary. Also, we have seen a lot of safety issues recently to do with women walking out at night.”

A research group in the University of Leeds School of Law have conducted a study that found many women avoid parks and deem them unsafe – especially at night.

Similarly, in 2022, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that 82% of women felt ‘very or fairly unsafe alone in a public setting” at night. The ONS also found that women are three times more likely than men to feel unsafe in parks during the day.

However, this could soon change in Woodhouse Moor.

Wow Park, which was announced last month, is a collaborative project by the University of Leeds, Leeds City Council and the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin. It aims to introduce public art and lighting to make Woodhouse Moor safer for women.

It comes despite the fact that Leeds City Council has in the past refused to install lighting in the park due to fears it could allow attackers to wait in the dark spaces to prey upon people in the lit areas.

Anna Barker is an Associate Professor in Criminal Justice & Criminology at the University of Leeds. She has led several projects surrounding the issue of parks and is involved in the proposed project in Woodhouse Moor.

Barker told The Gryphon that she was inspired by statistics such as the ONS research that says that women feel less safe in parks than they do in other types of public spaces such as residential streets, high streets and on public transport.

“Our perceptions of safety matter as they influence our behaviour, and the result is often that women and girls restrict their use of parks and alter their behaviour to keep themselves safe. This can have a significant impact on their lives, and their ability to move freely around our towns and cities as parks provide key connecting routes, to socialise, improve well-being and engage in physical activity and exercise in parks, especially when alone.”

She says there currently aren’t any detailed proposals for the design or location of the lighting as these will be shaped in consultation with the community in the coming months.

“We will be working closely with the local community to hear their views on several different creative interventions which could help to make Woodhouse Moor a more welcoming place for women and girls.”

Barker says that her research has shown that women feel safer in well-used parks, particularly where there is a strong presence of other women who act as a signal of safety.

She said that the women she spoke to in her original research “valued amenities, activities, facilities and interventions that bring people to the park, especially other women, activate and animate the space and create a sense of belonging.”

The project will begin in the next few weeks with the designs revealed in late spring and early summer.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority releases #JustDont campaign against sexual harassment

Em O'Riley on 29 September 2023

Content warning: this article contains content about sensitive topics including sexual harassment, assault and rape.

On Tuesday 19th of September, the West Yorkshire Combined Authorities and Mayor Tracy Brabin launched the #JustDont campaign. 

The campaign is against sexual harassment. Less than a year before she runs for office again, Mayor Tracy Brabin, “the country’s first and only female metro-mayor” has said tacking violence against women and girls is “a top priority”. 

Video: West Yorkshire Combined Authority on YouTube

The campaign highlights the statistic that 86% of young women in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in public. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by harassment and assault.

In an accompanying video titled ‘The making of #JustDont’, Brabin said the intention was not to blame men, but “encouraging them as allies”.

The campaign advocates how to intervene and be an “active bystander”, when it is safe to do so.  

In terms of intervention, it recommends the five Ds: direct, distract, delegate, delay and document. 

  • Direct: call out unacceptable behaviour in a calm way
  • Distract: ensure the victim is safe and removed from the situation
  • Delegate: if you feel unsafe look for others around you for support
  • Delay: if the situation is dangerous, move away and seek help
  • Document: if safe to do so, record the incident
Image: #JustDont campaign from West Yorkshire Combined Authority

In addition, West Yorkshire police released a press statement on Tuesday 19th September about extra support for women and students in Leeds. These included extra night patrols and Local Neighbourhood Policing Officers on bus services during Fresher’s Week. 

The Gryphon reached out the the Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault society (SASHA) about the campaign. They said it was “a positive step in the right direction”, but said they “would love to liase with mayoral and policing bodies to make them more aware of student opinions”.

SASHA outlined the need for measures to not be “a one off for freshers week, but a continuous, regular and reliable action”.

In recent years, Leeds students have voiced concerns over their safety. 

In 2020/21, the alley alongside Headingley Stadium was the site of Reclaim protests following reports of the alley as a ‘hotspot’ for assaults. Councillors responded in March 2021, cutting back foliage and installing CCTV.

The Gryphon checked up on these measures in September 2023. Walking past just after 9pm, streetlights were on the entire way with a clear view as hedges were trimmed. We could not confirm if CCTV remained in operation. However these measures will never provide complete reassurance in a society where violence against women and girls is widespread.

Image: Reclaim Headingley Stadium Alleyway on Facebook

The murder of Sarah Everard by serving police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021 sparked national outrage about the safety of women and girls. The nationwide police service faced extensive criticism for its internal culture and inadequate protection of women and girls, and pledged to improve their policies.

Two years on, significant questions remain as to whether any improvement has been made.

The internal state of the police force mirrors the lack of consequences for many perpetrators. In 2023, Channel 5 and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that “Over the past five years more than 300 officers gave been reported for rape and 5000 for sexual assault. Only ten of those accused of sexual assault have been convicted”. This deficit of justice can significantly damage trust.

SASHA said they observed the sentiment of students feeling “triggered and/or uncomfortable by police presence” increasing.

This view is reflected in reports on what victims face if they do report a crime. In a survey funded by the Home Office and released on the 21st September 2023, 3/4 of respondents, who were victims of rape, said their mental health was harmed by the police investigation after they reported the crime.

This compounds the issue of already low reporting rates. Victims may fear not being taken seriously, blamed, or have knowledge that even if they go to the police, the likelihood of conviction is low.

Image: Rape Crisis England and Wales

The Gryphon contacted the office of Mayor Tracy Brabin, who also has the role of Police and Crime Commissioner, to ask about what steps were being taken to improve police culture so victims could receive the justice they deserve. We received no reply as of publication date.

Whilst changing the attitudes that lead to harassment and assault are essential, the impact of campaigns like #JustDont, are often not felt for a long time in the daily lives of those affected.

There are many available avenues for people who need support. The University Of Leeds’ Students Against Sexual Harassment and Assault (SASHA) society has a list on its website, as well as extra information on its instagram page @sasha_uol

https://sashaleedsuni.wixsite.com/sashaluu/resources

Safety First: A Guide to Staying Safe During Freshers Week

Hannah Pickett on 29 September 2022

As universities make their big return to campus, there are keen students all around the country preparing themselves for a freshers’ week to remember. Here are five top tips for staying safe during the week: 

1. Buddy up

The phrase strength in numbers couldn’t be more fitting for this first tip. You are most vulnerable when you are alone, so it is important to stay in groups when you are out and try not to let people wander off or go home alone. In a new city and unfamiliar surroundings, it can be really overwhelming for many people, so make sure you’re checking in with your friends or flatmates regularly to see how they’re doing. 

2. Keep your phone charged  

This second tip may seem obvious, but having a fully charged phone when you’re out and about in a new city is a must. Not only will it be able to capture those unforgettable memories, but it can be used to pay for things, communicate with friends, and order Ubers or taxis to help you get home safe. 

3. Be vigilant

One of the most important pieces of advice is to be vigilant when you are out. The majority of people that you will meet are usually there to simply have a good time, but unfortunately, there are some more sinister people out there who have a different take on having a ‘good time’. Spiking continues to be a huge issue at parties and in clubs, so it is important to keep alert to minimise the risk of it happening to you or your friends. You can do this by not accepting drinks from strangers and not leaving any drinks unattended. 

If you do end up in a position where you think yourself or a friend may have been spiked, tell a bar manager or security guard, get to a safe place and if the condition deteriorates, call an ambulance. 

More information and advice on spiking can be found: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/staying-safe-while-drinking/drink-spiking-and-date-rape-drugs

4. Don’t overshare 

During the week, you will come across a whole host of new people and fresh faces who are all looking to make lots of new friends. When making conversations, it can be easy to overshare personal information very quickly such as where you’re staying, where you come from and your social media platforms, leaving you more vulnerable. With social media being a huge part of people’s lives, it is common to instantly want to add every single person you meet on these platforms, but this isn’t always the wisest thing to do as your social platforms can give off more information than you think. So, hold fire with those friend requests and wait to see who really turn out to be your close friends.

5. Look after yourself 

The final piece of advice for staying safe during freshers’ week is to look after yourself. It can be easy to see the week as the time to go wild, and many people do! But, it is really important to know your limits. The freedom of being a fresher means that it can be easy to feel pressured to do everything and go out every night, but don’t be afraid of saying ‘no’ if you don’t want to. At the end of the day, looking after yourself should be your top priority and you shouldn’t have to give in to the pressure of doing it all in the first week. 

Ultimately, freshers week is a time to really let loose and enjoy the freedom of being away from home. Take the advice as you wish, but by keeping these safety considerations in mind, you are guaranteed to have a great time and to make some unforgettable memories.