Training to help protect women and girls from harm

Chelmsford City Council is hoping to empower residents with the training

A course training people how to intervene in hostile situations against women is to be rolled out by a local authority.

Chelmsford City Council said the Active Bystanders scheme would empower people to create a safer society for women and girls in Essex.

It said the course would teach residents how to help someone who was being harassed or found themselves in an unsafe situation.

"Having the conviction to call out or disrupt those behaviours can really affect change," said Donna Eley, council cabinet member for a safer Chelmsford.

"Disrupting an unsafe situation doesn't need to involve confrontation.

"There are some really effective, subtle ways that you can help someone without causing a scene or putting yourself in a vulnerable position."

'Empowered'

The city council said "active bystandership" was proven to reduce violence among communities.

The free online course, led by Essex County Council, would take participants about 45 minutes to complete, it added.

"We hope that by seeing these methods in action, our residents will feel empowered to stand up for what they feel is right and help to embed a strong Active Bystander culture in Chelmsford," Ms Eley said.