Quite despite the ongoing pandemic, the last year has been a heavy one when it comes to the treatment of minorities. Not least the last few weeks for women in the UK who have been confronted with the horrific news of Sarah Everard’s death.

In light of her death and to recognise her as a member of the industry community, the timeTo Steering Committee have released a statement reminding each and every one of us that we have a responsibility to be an ally when it comes to the safety of others.

In the aftermath of her death, many took to social media to ask what they could do as individuals to make women feel safer, whether that was crossing the road or simply ensuring, as a business leader, that cabs were paid for, for women after dark.

As the statement opened: “It has been a very tough few weeks for many in our industry as we all deal with the dreadful news about Sarah Everard, witness the response (and how it was subsequently handled) and hear the many stories at an individual, national and international level of women’s continued experiences of sexual harassment alongside other forms of multiple oppressions, in everyday life.”

Over 250 companies across the industry are Endorsers of timeTo, and the organisation believes now is a vital moment to endorse its code of conduct. It also offered several action points to encourage people to play an active role in making others feel safe.

The statement reads: “Firstly, we think it is upon us all to be an ally to every colleague, especially if they have concerns about their safety. We appreciate from the responses we have seen that men, in particular, want to understand how they can best support their women colleagues and so, beyond the training, we have gathered a series of useful links and articles which we believe may be helpful here.

Secondly, check your company is an endorser of timeTo and that it is fulfilling its promise to embed the code of conduct in your company culture. If your company hasn’t signed up yet, and you can check if they have here, now’s the time. It is essential every business in our industry takes action to defeat sexual harassment.

Finally, the timeTo training, which was launched earlier this year, is available to everyone in our industry. We hope that everyone will take it up and we do expect to see that from those companies who have signed up to be endorsers of timeTo. Our trainers are ready and waiting.”

Everyone has the right to feel safe, and we all have a part to play in ensuring that.

If you fear for your safety, are under threat, or just want someone to talk to, timeTo is here for you and the NABS Advice Line is ready to provide confidential advice and support on 0800 707 6607.