A stark new survey has laid bare the alarming reality for women navigating Birmingham, with major landmarks like New Street station and Broad Street highlighted as places they feel least safe. The research, conducted by Girls Club Birmingham, follows the tragic killing of Katie Fox in the city centre last month and details widespread experiences of catcalling, sexual assault, violence, and being followed.
Echoes of Fear: The Disturbing Survey Results
After reading through more than 250 detailed responses, Girls Club Birmingham co-founder Lo Ranfaing issued an urgent call for change. She emphasised the need to keep the conversation alive until tangible improvements are made. The survey found women are consistently reporting similar traumatic incidents, from being followed home from work to being shouted at or assaulted in the street.
"Everyone's relating the same stories," Ranfaing told BirminghamLive. "It's the saddest thing that it all echoes the same. We've got over 250 and they're all so detailed." She described the process as difficult, noting that the volume and specificity of the accounts painted a grim picture of daily life for many women. Incidents were reported at all hours, from the middle of the day to late at night after leaving pubs and bars.
Areas Women Actively Avoid in the City
The survey identified specific locations women steer clear of, even if it means taking longer, less convenient routes. New Street Station and its surrounding areas were the most frequently avoided, cited by at least 100 respondents.
Other key areas of concern include:
- The canal networks, often used as shortcuts but avoided due to safety fears, forcing detours of up to 20 minutes.
- Broad Street, particularly after dark, with its concentration of pubs and restaurants.
- The area around The Square Peg and the large bus interchange, especially since the closure of the nearby shopping centre.
"People have told me that they don't come into the city centre. They are even scared just to work from home," Ranfaing added, underscoring the profound impact these fears have on daily life and the city's economy.
A Personal Attack and a Call for Tangible Change
The issue is deeply personal for Lo Ranfaing. Earlier this year, the 24-year-old paralegal was herself a victim of a random attack. While walking to work in Brindleyplace along Grosvenor Street West, a stranger suddenly punched her in the face, leaving her with a bloodied nose.
This experience, and the club's two-year campaign, has fuelled her frustration. "Better lighting, better transport, more environmental factors which would mean people feel safer," she stated, outlining clear demands. She expressed dismay that it took a loss of life to spark a wider conversation. "It would be really good to actually see some change," Ranfaing concluded, voicing a sentiment shared by the hundreds of women who contributed to the survey.
