Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Harrow Council’s latest publicity drive, branded “Harrow shows up to support end to gender-based violence,” is polished, upbeat and carefully staged. A mayoral opening, a short town-centre walk, partner speeches and safety packs create the appearance of decisive action. But read alongside our earlier article, “Harrow talks tough on violence against women – but the action still doesn’t match the message,” the contradictions are hard to ignore.
Around 60 people, apparently the majority drawn from partner organisations alongside council supporters, took part in the Walk for Women, listened to brief talks and were signposted to support services. This was presented as an “incredible show of support” and a flagship step towards a safer borough. Yet visibility is not impact. A one-off, choreographed walk does little to explain why women continue to feel unsafe in Harrow’s streets, or to change the behaviour of those responsible for harassment and abuse.
The council insists it is “showing up,” but there is little evidence of follow-through. The Safer Spaces Survey is again promoted, with claims that feedback leads to improvements such as better lighting or CCTV. Yet residents still cannot see where changes have been made, how priorities are set, or whether reported locations are safer. Without transparency, participation risks becoming performance.
Much of the council’s response focuses on reassurance rather than prevention. Safety packs, Safe Havens and short-term patrols may help at the moment, but they quietly shift responsibility back onto women to manage risk. Meanwhile, there is still no visible investment in tackling perpetrators: no behaviour-change programmes, no sustained prevention strategy, no attempt to address the roots of male violence.
The council’s pride in holding a “ninth day of action” underlines the problem. Counting events is not the same as delivering outcomes. What remains unanswered is whether fewer women are being harmed, whether repeat offenders are being stopped, and whether public spaces identified as unsafe are genuinely improving.
The presence of specialist charities along the route lends credibility, but it also exposes the imbalance. These organisations do the hard, long-term work with survivors every day, while the council amplifies its own visibility through managed events and upbeat press releases.
In the end, “Harrow shows up” feels less like progress and more like a photo opportunity. Awareness without accountability, symbolism without structure, and publicity without proof do not keep women safe. Until Harrow invests in transparent, preventative and perpetrator-focused action, its Days of Action will remain gestures that look good, sound right – and change very little.
Around 60 people, apparently the majority drawn from partner organisations alongside council supporters, took part in the Walk for Women, listened to brief talks and were signposted to support services. This was presented as an “incredible show of support” and a flagship step towards a safer borough. Yet visibility is not impact. A one-off, choreographed walk does little to explain why women continue to feel unsafe in Harrow’s streets, or to change the behaviour of those responsible for harassment and abuse.
The council insists it is “showing up,” but there is little evidence of follow-through. The Safer Spaces Survey is again promoted, with claims that feedback leads to improvements such as better lighting or CCTV. Yet residents still cannot see where changes have been made, how priorities are set, or whether reported locations are safer. Without transparency, participation risks becoming performance.
Much of the council’s response focuses on reassurance rather than prevention. Safety packs, Safe Havens and short-term patrols may help at the moment, but they quietly shift responsibility back onto women to manage risk. Meanwhile, there is still no visible investment in tackling perpetrators: no behaviour-change programmes, no sustained prevention strategy, no attempt to address the roots of male violence.
The council’s pride in holding a “ninth day of action” underlines the problem. Counting events is not the same as delivering outcomes. What remains unanswered is whether fewer women are being harmed, whether repeat offenders are being stopped, and whether public spaces identified as unsafe are genuinely improving.
The presence of specialist charities along the route lends credibility, but it also exposes the imbalance. These organisations do the hard, long-term work with survivors every day, while the council amplifies its own visibility through managed events and upbeat press releases.
In the end, “Harrow shows up” feels less like progress and more like a photo opportunity. Awareness without accountability, symbolism without structure, and publicity without proof do not keep women safe. Until Harrow invests in transparent, preventative and perpetrator-focused action, its Days of Action will remain gestures that look good, sound right – and change very little.
Harrow Monitoring Group 