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Everyone has the Right to Move.
Women shouldn’t bear the responsibility to protect themselves in public spaces this winter. It’s on ALL of us to change our behaviour.
“If I felt safe after dark, I would…”
…go for a run after work. …walk home instead of paying for a cab. …say yes to the late plans. …take the shortcut through the park.
When you ask women what they’d do if they felt safe at night, the answers are ordinary. That’s the point.
These are everyday freedoms that most women are forced to give up as soon as the light goes.
Right to Move returns on 25 October
On the night the clocks go back, we’re handing our channels over to women across the UK. They’ll share what they’d do if they felt safe in public spaces after dark. Then it’s on the rest of us to act.
Women: Finish the sentence “If I felt safe after dark, I would…” and share it on 25 October with #StopSupportReport, tagging @UNWomenUK
Men: Sign the open letter and commit to stepping in when you see harassment in public.
“Share your location”
“Stay on the phone”
“Text me when you get home”
As the clocks go back and the nights draw in, women still want to run, walk, wheel, travel — to move freely.
But when the light fades, so does the feeling of safety.
Instead of enjoying the night, women are forced to think about what route to take, who to call, and how to get home safely. It shouldn’t have to be that way.
Feeling safe shouldn’t depend on daylight — and the responsibility shouldn’t fall on women alone.
Every one of us has a role to play in protecting women’s Right to Move. But when you see someone being harassed in a public space, how do you know what to do?
That’s where Stop. Support. Report. comes in — a simple, safe way for everyone, especially men, to take action and make our public spaces safer for all.
Thank you to Inkfield Media for bringing this film to life.
#StopSupportReport:
Stop and offer your help. Support the person to safety. Report it if they want to.
Get your Ally Action Pack
- The easy to remember Bystander Framework
- Featuring messages and stories from UK content creators standing with us for women’s safety
- Scripts and phrases to help you know what to say in the moment
- Real examples and actions you can take to make public spaces safer
- Easy ways to spread the message and keep the movement growing
Over 70% of women in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces
You can help change that statistic
#StopSupportReport
Stop and offer your help
If it’s safe to do so, stop and offer your help to the person experiencing harassment (not the perpetrator).
You could:
- Distract from the situation
- Ask for directions
- Make eye contact with the target and give them the opportunity to ask you for help
Support the person to safety
Ask the person what would make them feel safe and then support them to safety.
You could offer to:
- Walk them to a busy area
- Flag down a taxi for them
- Stay with them until their bus or train arrives
- Wait together until a friend can meet them
Report it if they want to
Offer to help the person report the incident if they feel comfortable doing so.
Someone else’s choice may not be the same as yours, you can share helpful information but let them come to their own decision and respect that.
You could offer to:
- Call 999
- Text British Transport Police on 61016
- Contact the security or management team of the event or space
Donate to UN Women UK
We live in a world where women are expected to change their behaviour. We’re building a different world where society changes for them.
This is how we build a future that is safe for all women and girls. By changing how society thinks — and how it's built. Our advocacy work exists to dismantle the structures that keep women and girls from safety, choice, and a voice.
Together, we can make that future possible. Thank you.
Right to Move is part of UN Women UK’s Safe Spaces Now programme
UN Women UK’s Safe Spaces Now programme is working to create a world where women and girls feel safe in public spaces, across the whole of the UK.
The programme brings together governments, local authorities, public services, transport providers, event organisers and more to change the way the UK’s public spaces are set up for women.
UN Women UK: the only organisation working towards gender equality at all levels, in all areas of society
Right now, women’s rights are being abused, threatened, and violated around the world. Progress won over decades is vanishing before our eyes.
Here at UN Women UK, we’re combating this through collective action in all areas, at all levels of society.
We’re here to ensure that ALL women and girls have access to safety, choice and a voice. In the UK and around the world.
