game-changing safety app has gone live in Manchester.
Following a successful launch to the industry last week, the WalkSafe app is now live for the public to download and use in Manchester.
This safety app, which is free to download, is an initiative aimed at helping people make safe journeys no matter the time of day.
It lets people pick known safe routes through the city, as well as allowing them to share their location with family or friends, as well as sending an automatic alert out if a person fails to reach their intended destination.
As Manchester expands and draws more people than ever to enjoy its cultural offering, night life and music scene, it is more important than ever that steps are in place so people can travel safely.
In recent years the tragic and avoidable murders of Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa and dozens of other women have put a spotlight on what more can be done to address violence against women and girls, and how safety can be improved.
In response, Manchester City Council launched the Women’s Night-time Safety Charter in 2022, offering free training and guidance to venues across the city on how to support and promote safety.
To date, more than 400 venues have signed up to this charter, pledging to provide support and assistance to anyone at night who needs it, as well as undergoing additional training on how to be an active bystander, recognise potential spiking and improve safety across the sector.
With the arrival of WalkSafe to Manchester, the Council hopes that it will help and empower even more people to feel safe no matter who they are or where they are going, day or night and promote venues and businesses who are making women’s safety a priority.
WalkSafe is the brainchild of 34-year-old Emma Kay who, as a daughter of a Metropolitan Police officer, was subject to many rules to keep her and her siblings stay safe when out and about. Despite this, she experienced catcalling, following, groping and flashing – incidents which sadly occur too often to many women across the world.
As an adult, Emma volunteered at a community centre for people in crisis and saw first-hand the experiences women had, specifically their fear of the streets at night, confirming her fear that personal safety is an issue that affects everyone.
Emma’s career in childcare highlighted the importance of educating young girls and boys about issues like consent, gender bias and the importance of preventative actions. She built WalkSafe as she believes technology, combined with vision can genuinely save lives.
The WalkSafe app is now downloadable for use.
