Bauer Media is calling upon the UK Government to create systemic change to make women feel safer, after new has research revealed shocking insights six months on from the murder of Sarah Everard.

As part of its #IWalkWithWomen campaign, Bauer has undertaken nationwide research, which suggests 48 percent of women feel less safe on the streets, despite 77 percent of both men and women agreeing the tragedy was a defining moment in terms of the conversation around women and safety.

Government measures aimed at improving safety for women and girls have been announced since March and include a promise of funding for better lighting and CCTV, an online tool allowing women and girls to record where they feel unsafe and a new national police chief responsible for tackling violence against women and girls.

But despite these promises, the need for more serious action is clear, as Bauer’s research found four in five women still don’t feel safe walking home on their own after a night out. In the last six months, half have chosen to stick to walking main roads only and 48% have felt worried about someone walking behind them.

Having surveyed 2,000 men and women across the UK, results have been published in Grazia magazine, and featured on news bulletins across Bauer radio stations, including Magic Radio, Absolute Radio, KISS and the Hits Radio Brand Network. Other Bauer brands including Closer, Mother & Baby and Bella have also informed their readers of the results, with a news release issued to external media.

Speaking about the #IWalkWithWomen campaign, Lucie Cave, Chief Content Director for Bauer said “This research reveals that despite certain steps, we are still yet to see real significant progress on the issue of women’s safety. We represent a diverse range of audiences at Bauer, all who find this a common interest. We know that when our powerful brands come together on areas of importance such as this one, we can create real cultural change. That is why we are taking this up with the government today and calling on the authorities to listen to the groundswell of support for systemic change that will make women safer. Our audiences will not forget this, and neither will we.”

Speaking about the findings of the research, Labour MP Jess Phillips agreed that more needs to be done, “We must demand that women’s lives, and specifically our security, must become a political priority, not just a few pilot projects released here and there when bad things happen.’

Everyday Sexism founder Laura Bates added “It’s not surprising many women still feel unsafe because we haven’t seen the systemic change that we need to actually shift our daily reality. The conversation is a vital starting point, but what we need now is action from people in authority; people with the power to create real change, and that involves education, a criminal justice system that doesn’t fail women and girls at every turn and a media that doesn’t sensationalise or dismiss violence against women.”

You can read more about the finds of the research on Grazia Daily. This research has been carried out in partnership with GoFundMe who have created a centralised hub for those who want to take action and help charities working to end male violence. You can visit it at www.gofundme.com/iwalkwithwomen

You can follow the discussion and show your support with the hashtag #IWalkWithWomen

Bauer Media is the UK’s No.1 publisher, and Europe’s leading digital commercial broadcaster. An entertainment network of iconic and innovative multi-platform brands, Bauer Media reaches 25 million consumers in the UK.

– ENDS –

For further press information, please contact: 
Amelia O’Shea – Head of Communications, Bauer Media Audio UK 
M: 07718 489342 

About Bauer Media UK:
Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Brand Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.