We know that women are already being hit hard economically by the Government's policies. Independent research has shown women are paying more than twice as much as men in tax and benefit changes – not least because of the scale of cuts to family support. 

But there is growing evidence that women’s sense of safety and security is also being threatened. 

From restricting the use of the DNA database, removing the profiles on 17,000 rape suspects and trying to introduce anonymity for rape defendants, to the local commissioning reforms that have weakened support for women survivors, a wide range of concerns have been raised by both women and the women’s sector in recent months.

That's why, last November, Labour launched a Consultation on Women’s Safety, chaired by Vera Baird QC and supported by Kate Green MP (Shadow Minister for Equalities) and Stella Creasy MP (Shadow Home Office Minister), to take evidence on the impact of the Government’s decisions on women’s safety and to consider how to protect and  enhance women’s personal safety. The Consultation will report its findings to the Labour Party’s policy making process.

UPDATE: The evidence to the Commission so far has been compelling and the first interim report of the consultation is now available. Read it here.

Scroll down to read a selection of the views and ideas we've already received.

Click to find about about events the Commission has held near you >>>

Or, email submissions to personalsafetycommission@labour.org.uk

“We need to look at domestic violence within ‘closed’ environments – such as residential care homes and hospital wards.”
Reema

“I work with a charity that supports people who are suffering domestic violence. We offer counselling to our clients, which is free of charge. When this funding runs out in March, we will find it increasing difficult to offer the standards of services we presently provide.”
Chris

“I believe that women have the right to be informed if their partner has a violent past. I also believe that it should be automatic that everyone arrested on a charge of domestic abuse should be subject to an injunction that bans them from contacting the victim by any means. Texts and emails seem to be used for continuing abuse...”
Eleanor

“If there are less police to arrest an alleged perpetrator of abuse, no referral will be sent to support services and the cycle will continue. In our service, we have a backlog of cases awaiting support, but due to cuts in the police, it is taking longer for them to come through and this delays the support we are able to offer to women.”
Claire

“As a charity that works with women and children that survive domestic abuse, we would like to see more support in the court system. Why does a victim of abuse have to sit in front of her perpetrator?”
Andrea

“It is unfair that a woman has to leave her home with her children to escape violence, yet the alleged perpetrator is allowed to stay at the home address. I believe this is wrong.”
Catherine

“The Suzie Project in my home town has lost its funding, so we’ve had to end our group. Cutting funding to projects which support survivors of rape leave people like me feeling all alone.”
Anonymous

“I’m particularly worried about the government suggestion to change the definition of domestic violence. I worked for a domestic abuse charity for 18 years and we fought to ensure the definition includes psychological abuse.”
Penny

Street harassment continues to be a problem that is not taken seriously... it is not a 'compliment' - it is harassment and intimidation. I have the right to walk down the street without being followed or verbally abused...."
Rebecca

“I was sexually assaulted at 21 and without DNA tracking, my attacker would never have been found.”
Irene

“We work in a charity supporting women victims of violence. We now can't find refuge or even hostel spaces for women - we have to advise a woman how to minimise risk of harm while sleeping on the streets. How can this be?”
Heather, Domestic Abuse Charity

“Cuts to street lighting – imposed by Suffolk Country Council - are happening here in Ipswich. Female friends who live in these areas tell me [and I can confirm from having looked at a few] that it is quite scary. If you don't have a car, can't afford taxis and are used to walking around your own town in safety, it does make quite a difference having this "curfew" imposed.”
Netta

“Since women are often low-paid and shift workers working unsociable hours, the one thing that would help most is a sensible system of integrated public transport. Getting home after working late should not be as complicated as it turns out to be in real life. I end up walking through a dodgy area simply because it is a better option that spending twice as long waiting around for the bus.”
Fay

“Attitudes towards women in the media – from advertising and visual presentation, to off the cuff comments which demean and objectify – serve to provide a context which encourages violence against women.”
Rowan

“Local voluntary groups who support women are struggling to secure funding.... I’ve been supporting the White Ribbon campaign in Chorley, encouraging men to get involved in working to end violence against women. I’d like to see our council – and others - work towards qualifying for White Ribbon status within a year.”
Julia     
  
“Due to cutbacks by the Government, some councils have turned street lights off. This is a real danger for women who work at night. I’m an Avon lady, so I’m concerned about the safety of my colleagues, many of whom deliver at night.”
Sharon

"We just heard last Thursday that Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council are proposing a 50.6% cut, from £156,000 to £79,000 to Trafford Women`s Aid supporting people funded services from April 2012."
Lesley

“The cut in community support officers in our relatively rural area is having a dramatic impact, as there were the only visible presence that the police had here... it has a big impact in how safe people feel”
Meg

“I am worried about the cuts ending Youth Services in my area. Trained staff can have a positive effect on young people as they reach the age of forming new relationships. Street lights being turned off has already come under criticism here.”
Clare

'I believe that it should be automatic that everyone arrested on a charge of domestic abuse should be subjected to an injunction that bans them from contacting the victim by any means (texts and emails seem to be most used for continuing abuse) and from going within a mile of the victim's home, workplace, children's school or other relevant places.'
Jenny