Following the feedback from the community conference on women’s safety organised by Salisbury Soroptimists and Safer and Supportive Salisbury last year, a ten-point outline action plan has been developed to help keep women and girls safe in the city.

The plan includes seeking to make Salisbury a Zero Tolerance City for violence against women and girls, setting up an information hub on female safety, resources and support services, as well as training for bar, security, retail and other public-facing staff in Salisbury businesses.

The plan also features a local schools’ forum for changing behaviours and attitudes, as well as a workplace awareness campaign.

A taxi accreditation scheme with a focus on women and girls will be explored and the ‘safety infrastructure’ of street lighting, safer streets and spaces and an improved CCTV provision all feature in the list.

All the action points on the list now have a lead individual/organisation in place and A Steering Group of individuals has been formed to offer some oversight over the whole programme of action. The Steering Group will monitor progress and provide support, guidance and advice to assist delivery of the action plan.

On Monday 17th January, the Steering Group met for the first time.

Speaking after the meeting, Liz Batten, Soroptimist and SaSS Vice-Chair said, “We are all pleased with how much was achieved on the day of the conference and we plan to maintain the momentum on women’s safety in Salisbury by delivering the action plan.

“Salisbury is already a safe city but our plans will seek to enhance this further. A number of local people have come forward since the event, who were unable to attend on the day, offering to help with the plan going forward. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who might be interested in getting involved, please contact us at sarumsoropts@gmail.com”