Birmingham Councillor Highlights 'Massive Issue' of Women's Safety
Councillor Nicky Brennan has issued a heartfelt message to women and girls across Birmingham who have experienced harassment or discomfort in the city. The Labour councillor for Sparkhill ward spoke candidly about her own safety concerns, revealing that both she and her 19-year-old daughter have faced unsettling situations.
Urging Action and Reporting to Police
In an interview with BirminghamLive, Councillor Brennan emphasized the importance of reporting incidents to the authorities. "Report it to the police," she urged. "I know sometimes people don't feel comfortable reporting it, however, the police are there to help you." She described this as a widespread problem affecting women not only in Birmingham but throughout the country.
Councillor Brennan encouraged victims to speak out and use their voices to call out such behavior. "This is a massive issue," she stated. "It happens to women not just in our city, but up and down the country. It's happened to me, it happens to my daughter who's 19."
Council's Strategy to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls
During the conversation, Councillor Brennan detailed Birmingham City Council's ongoing efforts to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), following a recent awareness event. The council's VAWG strategy focuses heavily on partnership, particularly with domestic abuse services.
She outlined current tactics being employed in the city:
- Community safety officers are deployed in transport hubs and public areas to engage with women and ensure their safety.
- Partnership work with the police enhances coordination and response efforts.
- Commissioned services provide support to help women and girls cope and recover from incidents.
Future Goals for a Safer City
Looking ahead, Councillor Brennan stressed that VAWG must become a priority for everyone. "It needs to be part of everybody's agenda," she asserted. She called for involvement from every part of the council to implement the strategy effectively.
"Every part of the council has a role to play and needs to be going through our strategy to make sure that women and girls are safe in the city," she concluded, highlighting the collective effort required to address this critical issue.
