Thirty years ago, an attack on a Soroptimist travelling on a train in the London area sparked a campaign to improve personal safety, particularly for women, on the railways. Surveys were carried out by Soroptimists covering over 500 British railway stations in different parts of the country. The surveys led to several reports being drawn up and published. SIGBI has asked clubs to repeat the exercise, and SIB has played its part.
Eight members each visited one station in and around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole including Bournemouth, Branksome, Christchurch, Hinton Admiral, New Milton, Parkstone, Pokesdown and Poole. We introduced ourselves to staff and used the proforma distributed by SIGBI to consider all the aspects of safety. In the stations where staff were present, we generally found them to be very forthcoming and helpful. It was an interesting and productive exercise and it would appear that safety is being appropriately considered in our area. We look forward to hearing the results from the survey across England to see if the same can be said elsewhere.
If you are interested in this and would like to come along to a Soroptimist International Bournemouth meeting to find out more, please email us at sigbibournemouth@hotmail.co.uk.