Abri, the largest provider of affordable housing in Bracknell, has signed Bracknell Forest Council’s (BFC) Women and Girls Safety Charter.
Delivering services to more than 9,000 customers in Bracknell, Abri works closely with communities to enhance safety both in and outside of homes. As a partner of Bracknell Forest Council, the housing provider is an early signatory of the charter, which outlines the local authority’s commitment to keeping women and girls safe.
The charter highlights the need for effective and immediate action to create inclusive, safe communities where everyone can thrive without fear of violence or harassment. This is a shared commitment, which invites signatories to stand alongside BFC and take collective action against gender-based discrimination, abuse and violence.
Bracknell Forest Council’s charter officially launched on Wednesday 19 August, at an event which brought together partners from across the community, including Abri’s Group Community Safety Manager, Karolyn Barta.
“This charter is an important next step to proactively tackling violence against women and girls, providing a tangible commitment to improving the experiences of communities in Bracknell,” Karolyn says. “A big part of this is about working in partnership, something we are passionate about at Abri. It’s also about engaging men and boys, encouraging them to be supportive allies of women and girls, and ensuring they have the confidence they need to contribute positively to inclusive, safe communities.
“We support customers every day to address the barriers they face when it comes to living safely and well. This charter highlights those barriers, and provides important insights into how Bracknell Forest Council will, in partnership, tackle them. As signatories, we pledge to continue working with BFC to ensure every woman and girl is safe at home, and in their community.”
The Women and Girls’ Safety Charter outlines nine pledges which, as a signatory, Abri has made a commitment to supporting. This includes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of harassment, discrimination or unwanted behaviour towards women and girls; a focus on victim-centred support; and having effective, defined reporting processes.
As part of its commitment to keeping communities safe, Abri works with partners – including local authorities, the police and charities – to provide tailored support that meets the individual needs of customers.