Women's Safety Commission consultation in Bristol

Over past months, we have heard concerns from both women’s organisations and women themselves about proposed funding cuts and legislative changes that seem likely to have a negative impact on women’s safety. You are very familiar with many of these and I share your concerns, not least of all about the Legal Aid Bill, which will narrow the definition of domestic violence and deny many women representation when they most need it, and the cuts to street lighting in some areas, that often make women in particular feel more vulnerable. 

The Commission – whose overarching objective is to improve women’s personal safety  - wants to take further evidence on the impact of these Government decisions, legislation and policies on women’s safety; to consider how to prevent further adverse impacts and to consult on how to enhance women’s personal safety.

We believe that there are already a number of ways in which women’s safety could be strengthened but we do need your input. Working together, we will be able to audit recent changes and highlight their cumulative impact on women’s safety, as well as consider those legislative measures that could make a real difference to women’s lives. At the meeting, I will introduce the Commission a little more, and then facilitate an informal, but detailed discussion on the issues that you feel the commission should address.

It will begin at 2pm and we expect it to last until approximately 4pm, and will take place in Bristol at the University of Bristol Students Union, Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1LN 

To confirm your attendance, please email James Greenhalgh on james.greenhalgh@parliament.uk and copy me in directly on qc@verabaird.com

In the meantime, we welcome written evidence on any of the areas detailed in the Terms of Reference, and submissions can be emailed to personalsafetycommission@labour.org.uk until 24th February 2012, or you can visit our website http://fresh-ideas.org.uk/safetyconsultation and fill out an online form. My intention is to produce a very provisional piece of work in time for International Women’s Day setting out the Commission’s findings by then, however we will be posting updates on the Commission's work on our twitter page @everywoman_safe, which I encourage you to visit.