Staying safe on a night out.
The clocks go back on the 27th of October, which means daylight hours reduce, so I thought I would share some tips on how to stay safe on a night out!
‘Ask for Angela’ is an initiative set up so that if you feel unsafe/uncomfortable, staff in venues across Leeds city centre are trained to help. It aims to reduce violence and harassment. they will be able to support you if you find you don’t feel safe.
Women Friendly Leeds has a service where a van is based in Leeds City Centre to offer support, advice, and refuge for women in Leeds. Different support they offer include:
- Charging facilities
- Support calling a taxi
- Reporting systems
- A waiting space for friends
- A non judgemental space
Here is the link so that you can see where they are based when you are next out in Leeds City Centre: Womens Night Safe Space - Women Friendly Leeds
Top Tips for staying safe when in Leeds at night!
1: Plan where you are going! Before heading out, have a rough plan of where you are going and how you are getting home with others so someone else knows!
2: Charge your phone before heading out! This means that you have a way of contacting those you go out with if you lose them or can’t find where they are.
3: stay in a group whenever possible, whether that’s moving between locations or going to the toilet together if in a crowded space!
4: When out, make sure you watch your drink and try not to leave it unattended!
5: try and stay in well-lit areas if moving around or walking home. This can be on main roads and side streets with streetlights there. Also places with houses there as well!
6: After a night out, take care of yourself! Stay hydrated and let yourself rest as you may be tired after the night before!
These tips are there to help, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop having fun and a good time! It is just good to keep note of these tips to make your time out safer!
If you ever find yourself in a situation you can’t get out of or feel uncomfortable, there is an app called Hallie Guard that helps alert others that you may be needing assistance. There is a hexagon shaped button on the app that when you hold it down for 5 seconds, activates an alarm. After this is activated, it enables video and voice recording, meaning it can be used as evidence if ever needed. The recording being taken then leads to your emergency contacts you have put on the app to be alerted as well, sharing your location.
Even though this is specifically related to staying safe at night, there are other reasons for using this app, such as if you are:
- Shopping
- Travelling
- Commuting (this could relate to you if you finish at 5pm during winter months and travelling home alone/late at night)
- Outdoor exercise
Hope these tips are useful for when you are getting ready for your night out, being out at night, then also when you are back!
Stay safe!
Maddie Goodhand, Leeds Trinity Students’ Union President