Violence against women and girls (VAWG) has come into sharper focus in recent years, with statistics revealing that 1 in 4 adult women nationwide have experienced rape or sexual assault. In Hertfordshire alone, women account for two-thirds of all violent offences (2023).
In response to this growing concern, the North Herts Community Safety Partnership has launched the Women and Girls Safety Charter in Hitchin and is committed to expanding this initiative across the region in 2025. The aim is to create a safer environment for women and girls to live, work, and visit in North Hertfordshire.
How the charter works
The charter works in collaboration with licensed premises to raise awareness, provide staff training, and encourage a collective effort to tackle VAWG.
This initiative focuses on the night-time economy and uses the Recognise, Respond, Report, Re-educate methodology to create lasting change.
Participating premises
Below is a list of premises that have signed up to the charter and have trained their staff to support this important cause.
- Bridgetown Monroe
- Kite at The Red Hart
- Let's Party
- Molly Malones
- The Snug
How to get involved
If you represent a North Hertfordshire premises and would like to join the Charter, please contact us at licensing@north-herts.gov.uk to arrange a training session with one of our licensing officers.
Preventing violence against women and girls is a collective responsibility. By supporting the Women and Girls Safety Charter, we are committing to making North Hertfordshire a safer, more inclusive place where such violence is never tolerated.