App launches for reporting street harassment

The new app is intended to improve street safety in York and North Yorkshire

An app to report street harassment will make women and girls feel safer, a support group has said.

The Start Safe, Stay Safe app has been launched in York and North Yorkshire, funded by the mayoral combined authority and developed by Stop Hate UK.

It allows victims to capture evidence, report it anonymously for information only or for formal investigation by the police or council.

Women Unlocked, a support project for young women in the area, said it would "knock down some of the barriers" to women and girls reporting crime.

According to project manager Emily Blavins, some victims were scared of the police, did not want to speak to someone in person or over the phone, or thought that street harassment was "too common" to report.

"The app is great because it addresses all of these. Stop Hate UK is independent from the police and victims have the option of if they want authorities involved or not," she said.

"It also allows those who are too nervous to speak on the phone an accessible way to report."

The app allows users to capture incidents in real time

The young women who are part of Women Unlocked reviewed the app and said they would encourage their peers to download it.

Group member Shakirah Salleh added: "Reporting street harassment or violence can be incredibly intimidating, especially in the moment or shortly after an incident.

"The app allows individuals to log incidents quickly and quietly, without drawing attention to themselves which can make all the difference in feeling safe enough to report."

Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, said she hoped the app would encourage more people to report unacceptable behaviour.

"Street-based harassment has no place in our region," she said.

"The mayor and I are determined to ensure everyone in our region feels safe but we know that too often, for women and girls in particular, the streets, town and city centres don't feel safe and many incidents go unreported.

"This app will help the police and other agencies get better evidence of incidents that take place, ultimately enabling them to do more to tackle violence against women and girls."

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