Fear and safety for women and girls in the night-time economy: findings from a Safer Street 4 project in England

This paper reports on some of the findings from the Safer Street 4 Violence Against Women and Girls research in England’s West Midlands. It investigates women’s and girls’ perceptions of safety in public spaces and Night-Time Economy venues, particularly around licensed premises after dark. Using participatory workshops and observational methods, the study explores reasons for fear, places associated with risk, and factors that foster a sense of security. Findings reveal that safety perceptions are strongly influenced by spatial and temporal contexts, as well as by past experiences—both personal and collective. Historical incidents of crime and sexual exploitation continue to amplify fear and shape behaviour, restricting women’s and girls’ freedom in public spaces. The paper concludes that safety is not only about present conditions but also about how past events and ongoing environmental factors control and influence women’s everyday choices, offering recommendations to enhance safety in nighttime and public settings.