THE LORD MAYOR of Melbourne is looking into creating ‘safe havens’ for women in the city’s central areas as public concern about violence against women rises.
It is unclear precisely how the save havens will work, but Mayor Robert Doyle said they will be well-lit, often patrolled areas. Both men and women would be allowed into the areas and CCTV footage would be subject to real-time surveillance by police and council officers.
The plans come amid a spate of widely-reported attacks against women in the city, including Irishwoman Jill Meagher last year. Doyle said the move would not be the “whole answer” to the problem of violence against women but would be a step in the right direction.
“We are looking at creating a safe space where women know they can go late at night which they know is welcoming and which is safe for them,” Doyle, told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 today.
We’d like to know what you think about the idea: Would you feel safer if ‘safe havens’ existed in your area?
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