Safer Business Network, in partnership with the City of London Crime Prevention Association, is rolling out a network of Safe Havens across the Square Mile, with over 60 in place to date.  However they’re looking to grow this number even further.                                                                                                                           

Safe Havens are a practical way for businesses to let people know that a form of support is easily available if they need help. Premises such as shops, cafes, pubs, libraries, corporate lobbies and other places of interest can register to be officially known as a Safe Haven.

The definition of a Safe Haven is:

“A place of temporary refuge for a person to facilitate their onward journey. Whilst the Safe Haven cannot provide specialist interventions, staff can contact emergency services and/or signpost to specialist services where needed”.

We are looking for businesses that are willing to be a Safe Haven to help women with their onward journeys – for example:

• Providing a friendly face and reassurance.
• Allowing the individual to charge their phone.
• Calling a taxi.
• Contacting family/friends.
• Waiting for, or signposting to transport.
• If required, making a phone call to the emergency services, or offering useful helpline numbers to the affected person.

Safe Havens will not intervene in someone’s problems directly or speak to another person involved.

The basic criteria for a Safe Haven would include:

• Access to water (could be bottled)
• Electricity
• Wi-fi or a landline telephone
• Charging point for mobile phone with extension lead if required.
• A chair/seat
• Access to a toilet if required.
• The Safe Haven Logo displayed in a window/door.
• Trained staff with a list of external support network contact details for the end user such as charities, helplines (we provide this signposting and referral document)
• Relevant public liability insurance.
• Either Body Cameras are to be worn OR staff to have DBS checks completed OR  two members of staff must be present when an individual is in the Safe HavenOR  the Safe Haven should be covered by working CCTV.

Training to staff will be offered for free to enable the venue employees to feel confident in dealing with members of the public, bearing in mind that we cannot provide specialist support.

Safe Havens can be signposted by using door/window stickers at each venue, which Safer Business Network provide for free.

Your business would be included as a delivery partner in communications and will also be included in any digital communications for the public to identify the location of the Safe Havens. We will ensure that other partners, including the City Of London Police and The Metropolitan Police Service know about the Safe Haven and support it during their operational hours.

We need your support to be able to deliver Safe Havens across London to help tackle violence against women and girls in public spaces.

If you wish to join the Safe Haven scheme, please contact Lilly Prior at Safer Business Network via Lilly.prior@saferbusinessnetwork.org.uk