Shirley Library joins Southampton Safe Place Network

Shirley Library has become the latest location to sign up to the Southampton Safe Places Network, coinciding with National Hate Crime Awareness Week (8-15 October 2022)

A Safe Place can be any type of premises, ranging from shops, cafés or buildings that can be accessed by the public. They act as a temporary refuge for adults and young people who may feel scared, lost, threatened or at risk and in need of support including women and girls who may experience public sexual harassment.

Vulnerable people may choose to carry a Safe Places card with them containing contact details of a trusted person who can be called for help, or for more serious issues, supported by the appropriate advice service or Police where necessary.

Councillor Matt Renyard, Cabinet Member for a Safer City comments:

“Anyone can feel vulnerable in public for a variety of reasons, and everyone has the right to feel safe. I’m so pleased that Shirley Library has joined our growing list of Safe Places in the city, offering somewhere people can go in their time of need.

“People may feel vulnerable for many different reasons, and we know from previous local schemes how much of a support these spaces can be, for example for people with a learning disability, autism, or mental wellbeing issues.

“As a Library of Sanctuary, Shirley Library joining during National Hate Crime Awareness Week is particularly poignant. If someone were to witness or experience a hate crime, a Safe Place is somewhere people can go to report it, complimenting the Third Party Hate Crime Reporting Centres that exist in Southampton.

Sam Waddington - Southampton & South Hampshire Hate Crime Network Co-ordinator said:

"The Southampton & South Hampshire Hate Crime Network is delighted that Shirley Library is joining the Safe Places scheme in Southampton. We hope that this will see more individuals coming forward for advice and support about different issues, including Hate Crime."

Inspector Hayley O’Grady from Hampshire Constabulary said:

“It is great to see another institution sign up to the Safe Place Network, a fantastic example of us working with partners to come up with ways we can achieve our common goals together.

“It is a particularly important part of our response to reducing violence against women and girls, which is a force priority, and comes as we remind the public of our commitment to reducing hate crime as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week this week.

“The more safe havens we have in Southampton for vulnerable people, the safer our city will be.”

To find the nearest Safe Place, people should look for a Safe Places logo sticker in the shop window/door. The Safe Place locations that are signed up so far as part of the Southampton Safe Spaces scheme can all be found on the member scheme map. There is also an app available to download on the App store and Google Play called ‘Safe Places’, where people can find their nearest Safe Place based on where they are. The free app also has voice activation technology for people who may have sight difficulties.

To find out more about Safe Places and how to sign up, visit Southampton Safe Places.

To sign up, or to ask further questions about the Southampton Safe Places network, please email safeplace@southampton.gov.uk.