#CreatingWomensSpaces... making spaces for the conversations women want to have!

RECLAIM THE BEACH

How can women and girls reclaim the beach from the male gaze, sexual harassment and assault?

14:00-16:30 I Free Creche I Women-only I Brighton & Hove

Our beach is both the heart and soul of our city. Iconic, none of us could feel at home without it. It embodies the eccentricity of Brighton- winter swimmers, obsessive starling twitchers, summer skinny dippers, baptisms of all varieties. We have all been swooped at by hungry seagulls, snapped at by angry waves, and found messages written on the pebbles. But for many of us, especially women and girls, we will have shared experiences that are far from enjoyable.

This spring we are launching our Reclaim the Beach Campaign. 

**WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE WE HAVE SECURED INITIAL FUNDING FOR THIS CAMPAIGN FROM THE BRILLIANT 'ANOTHER WAY FOUNDATION'**

There has been a string of reported rapes and non contact sexual offences on our beach. From ogling and inappropriate comments, to filming and worse. We say #EnoughIsEnough and we want to challenge these behaviours, and reclaim our beach from harassment, making it a space that is a respectful, restful and safe part of our city for women.

We will raise use social media, events and public signage to raise awareness about the impact of harassment, the link between non-contact sexual offences and contact sexual offences, and educate members of the public on safe intervention techniques. 

We would love to hear your experiences, and ideas for such this public awareness campaign. So please come along, get involved with the campaign and share your experiences. It's time to reclaim our beach!

"I was nervous coming for my first time, but EVERYONE made me feel so welcome. It was great to be in the company of other women, & really talk & laugh about the things that matter to women"

Some facts

Local news reports in 2023 and 2024 described rapes and sexual assaults carried out by 20 different men in public spaces in Brighton & Hove. 

Of the 30 separate assaults, 17 took place on the seafront. We also know that very few cases of rape and sexual assault result in arrests and convictions such as those reported in the media. 

For example,  2023-24, just one in 50 rapes reported to Sussex police resulted in a court case. 

Many women (& girls)  are understandably reluctant to report incidents of rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment to the police, given that nearly 100 Sussex Police officers were investigated for domestic abuse or sexual violence between 2017 and 2022.

The impact

Read the report Changing Minds: The Real Impact of Street Harassment

Is street harassment a crime?

YES! The Protection From Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 has recently been given Royal Assent, so police forces should be putting this in to operation.

It makes it a crime to intentionally harass someone in public because of their sex, with up to a two year prison sentence. This includes cat-calling. Remember that other types of harassment are crimes in their own right too:

Including, but not limited to:

• Sexual assault, voyeurism, indecency, flashing, cyber flashing, upskirting

Flashing and other non-contact sexual offences like upskirting are serious criminal offences & often an indicator that the perpetrator has, or will go on to commit contact sexual offences. They are serious and must be treated as such. Dominique Pelicot was initially arrested for upskirting, Wayne Couzins had a history of flashing.

What is the bystander effect?

The bystander effect helps us understand why so many do not intervene when they witness street harassment. The greater number of witnesses the less likely people are to intervene. Read more about intervening and interrupting street harassment here.

About us........

On the THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH we invite women* to join us in our woman-only space to share their experiences and insights. We sit in a circle, as each woman is equal. Every woman is welcome to speak and listen. Yes, we have cake.

Tickets are free, but please donate to help us cover the costs of the venue, the cost of the creche & teas & coffees. Only donate if you can comfortably afford to do so. There is a card reader at the meeting too.

Our creche is FREE! Please book by midnight on 18th September so we can plan the play space. Do let us know of any additional needs they have. If a creche environment is not appropriate for your child, we will happily pay their regular care worker to have them for the duration to enable you to join us.

To learn more about our group and our campaigns visit our website and follow us on twitter. Please read our mythbusters here. If you want to create spaces for women please download our activist pack that tells you everything you need to know.

*We have a single-sex policy. Strictly women-only- women registered female at birth. Women registered female at birth who express a trans or non-binary identity are welcome. If you were registered male at birth we are happy to signpost you to a variety of similar groups (scroll down)

Our rules........

Sales close on the Wednesday before the event.

Many of our topics can trigger disclosures of sexual & domestic abuse. Women often talk about difficult and personal issues. We hold this space to enable women to do this. Many have no other space in their lives dedicated to reflection in this way. To enable women to feel safe, centred and empowered to do this, all attendees enter into our community pledge; confidentiality, sensitivity, trust, respect and sisterhood.

Signposting........

Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night.

RISE Domestic Abuse Helpline 01273 622 822 we're here on Monday and Tuesday mornings, 9.30 - 12.30pm and Wednesday 5-7pm or self refer here

Mums who are survivors of sexual abuse (Hove, starting this April) www.releaseforwomen.org.uk

Rape Crisis unisex call free on 0808 500 2222

Armed Forces Support Aurora New Dawn For serving members and their families subject to domestic abuse, stalking or sexual violence, regardless of where you are based 023 92479254 email: armedforces@aurorand.org.uk

Revenge Porn Helpline 0345 6000 459 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Emails can be sent any time to help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk

Safe Spaces Sussex Scheme is a network of locations across the county offering a Safe Space for people to go to if they feel threatened or at risk of harm.

Paladin - National Stalking Advocacy Service 020 3866 4107 https://www.paladinservice.co.uk/
Helpline provides advice to victims of stalking and advocacy to high risk victims of stalking, raises awareness of dangers and risks of stalking, develops a victim's network of support as well as providing training to professionals and campaigning.

The National Stalking Helpline 0808 802 0300 https://www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/national-stalking-helpline Practical advice and information to anyone who is currently or previously been effected by harassment or stalking.

Women of Colour Brighton A community for women of colour, including non-binary people of colour https://www.womenofcolourbrighton.co.uk/

Navigate Peer support group for anyone who is transmasc, gender diverse and assigned female at birth https://www.navigatebrighton.co.uk/about

Navigate Peer support group for anyone who is transmasc, gender diverse and assigned female at birth https://www.navigatebrighton.co.uk/about

Brighton LGBT Switchboard helpline 01273 204050 https://www.switchboard.org.uk/what-we-do/trans-support/