Sarah Everard was walking near Clapham Common, London in March 2021 when she was attacked and murdered. Ashling Murphy was out for a run along the banks of the Grand canal in County Offaly when she was attacked and murdered in January 2022. These are just two recent, high-profile examples of violence against women in public spaces.  

In Northern Ireland, 98% of women (over 18 years old) and 73% of girls (12-17 years old) have experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime. Around 14% of women report the location of their ‘worst recalled violent event’ being in a public spaces such as a park, forest, and streets. As a result, and because of the associated health, social and economic impacts of violence against women and girls (VAWG), ending VAWG has been identified as a priority area in the Draft Programme for Government for Northern Ireland. With researchers, policymakers, and communities seeking different solutions to end VAWG in public spaces.  

Our project will work with women, girls, and other key stakeholders, to design and develop interventions to end VAWG in public spaces in Belfast. The interventions will inform the design of public spaces and how the public use these spaces, with a view to influencing the attitudes, behaviours, and social and cultural norms of people (including men and boys) living in Belfast. The work will benefit the health and wellbeing of women and girls through tackling violence, abuse, and harassment in public spaces. 

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groundswell@qub.ac.uk