18 Jan Support for women following the conviction of Met Police Officer David Carrick
Trigger Warning: Please note that the following content covers sensitive topics, including sexual violence against women.
Hammersmith BID Statement:
Women’s safety is a top priority for us at Hammersmith BID and we were deeply disturbed by a Metropolitan Police officer pleading guilty on Monday of multiple rape and sexual offences against women over many years. Through our Women’s Safety Forum, we work with the local community to create a safe and accessible town centre, night and day, with regular forums providing a voice for women to raise concerns, training opportunities for employees in Hammersmith and more. To provide reassurance to our Forum members and others who may be affected by the news, we have pulled together a set of useful resources and links to information which you can find below.
We also have ongoing plans to hold an open forum with the local Met Police, where members of the community can discuss any anxieties or concerns they may have. More information regarding the date and location of the open forum will follow shortly.
Police Response:
Following the conviction of Met officer, David Carrick, the Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has released the following statement.
Resources: Hammersmith BID – Women’s Safety Forum
‘Every woman has a right to feel safe in her own city’
As part of our work with the Hammersmith Women’s Safety Forum, we wanted to share some useful resources, should you or someone you know have been affected directly, or by the content of the recent case:
- Hammersmith and Fulham, Violence Against Women and Girls page: The council’s page offers information on available safe spaces, and how to access them.
- Angelou: The Angelou Partnership has been commissioned by Hammersmith and Fulham Council to deliver the borough’s Violence Against Women and Girls services. The Angelou Partnership can offer support ranging from increasing safety and understanding the criminal justice system, to enhancing emotional well-being. Support is available over the phone (he National Domestic Abuse Helpline 24 hours a day), face to face, or in a group format depending on the needs and preferences of the survivor.
- Rape Crisis England & Wales: Provides a 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line where people have access to specialists at any time of the day or night.
- Statement from Rape Crisis England & Wales: Following the recent guilty plea of David Carrick regarding acts of violence against women.
- Suzy Lamplugh Trust Bystander Training: Hammersmith BID is working with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to promote the webinar series they are running in partnership with L’Oréal Paris. This programme drives awareness of harassment, upskilling and empowering individuals across various settings, such as schools, public transport, festivals, public spaces, and workplaces, to help defuse situations, discourage harassers, and support victims. Sessions are one-hour long and free to attend. Please sign-up to the sessions via the link or email us.
- Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) Training: A training package aiming to support those working across licensed premises with awareness of different vulnerabilities and how to provide the best possible support. If you would like WAVE training to happen within your business, please email us.
- End Violence Against Women: Statement regarding serving Met Police Officer David Carrick.
Additional Support
Some more useful resources can also be found on our Women’s Safety page.
We hold quarterly Women’s Safety Forums so if you would like support for you or your organisation through in-person sessions, please do not hesitate to reach out via email.