A police force has issued an apology after a social media post advising women not to walk alone at night was accused of “victim blaming”.
Nottinghamshire Police’s post, which was quickly deleted, stated: “Taking a risk when it comes to walking alone at night is not one of those things we should be doing.
“Women who walk alone especially at night are at risk of harassment, or even physical assault.
“It is always best to walk with someone, or in an area where there are other people.”
The statement goes on to explain that “even with the best planning there will likely come a time you will need to walk somewhere alone at night.
“Whether it’s to your car after a late night at the office, heading to your car after a late-night store run, or walking home from the public bus station, you may find yourself out at night alone.”
Helen Voce, chief executive of Nottingham Women’s Centre, told the BBC she was astonished by the post and said it was reminiscent of the 1980s.
“It is so condescending, blaming women for going out and it’s so sexist about us coming back from the shops,” she said.
“I think it makes women feel like it’s their fault and that’s ridiculous.”
Instead of encouraging women to alter their behaviour, Voce said men should be given advice on how to make women feel safer at night.
“It’s men that need to change their behaviour,” she explained.
After the initial backlash to the post, Nottinghamshire Police apologised for the “clumsy attempt” to provide safety advice.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We recognise this was a clumsy attempt to communicate an incident with the underlying intention of keeping people safe.
“The post was swiftly deleted as soon as it was brought to our attention.
“Feedback has been provided and we would apologise unreservedly for any offence caused.”
Advice issued by police and specifically targeted towards women has sparked similar backlash in the past, with Avon and Somerset Police’s #JogOn campaign – launched in January – criticised for placing the onus on women when it comes to avoiding street harassment whilst exercising alone.
Karen Ingala Smith, CEO of Nia, charity for women subjected to sexual and domestic violence, told The Telegraph that working out with others was “probably a pragmatic decision for women to make”, but added that she didn’t “think it is right.”
In fact, Smith said the campaign was demonstrative of “how male violence is used to control and restrict all women”.