WOMEN have been asked to share their concerns over personal safety at home and on the street in North Wales.

North Wales Police has launched a survey to record the experiences and concerns of women in the region, which will inform its Voice Against Violence campaign that will shape the force's approach to improving women's safety at home, in their community, at work and when out and about.

Superintendent Jason Devonport said: “Following the tragic event of the death of Sarah Everard earlier this year, we have seen women across the UK coming forward with their own stories of feeling unsafe or harassment. The fact that this has become so commonplace in our society is unacceptable and it must be challenged.

“We have created this survey to really listen to what women and girls in our community have to say on their personal experiences and how safe they feel living in North Wales in current times. We encourage as many women as possible to complete the survey so that we can work together to tackle these concerns and make North Wales the safest place in the UK.

“We want to ensure that everyone who needs help, knows where to find it, and feels confident that we will listen, and they will be taken seriously.”

Feeling unsafe is not exclusive to women, of course, however sexual violence and harassment offences are overwhelmingly committed by males against females.

The most recent official statistics at police force level show that, in North Wales, 12 women and girls were killed in the region between April 2016 and March 2019.

According to a report from the Femicide Census, a research and campaigning organisation, 18 of those killed in North Wales in the decade to 2018 were females aged over 14.

They were all killed by men.

North Wales Police figures also showed more than 600 women and girls reported rape in just a year.

Home Office statistics show that women are disproportionately impacted by sex crimes and are more likely to be victims of stalking, harassment and domestic abuse than men.

The survey comes in the wake of the death of Sarah Everard. Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, June 8 when he pleaded guilty to the kidnap and rape of the 33-year-old.

“We welcome and support this survey giving the people of North Wales an opportunity to express their concerns and to have their voice heard - to talk about the things that make them feel unsafe both for themselves and their children," said Jane Ruthe, CEO from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales.

"Sexual violence can be and is inflicted on anyone of any gender, but the reality is that it is a crime that disproportionately affects women.

"RASASCNW works in all counties of North Wales, and provides specialist support and counselling to anyone of any gender in each county, whether the sexual violence has happened recently or a long time ago, in childhood or adulthood. We also have a specialist children and young people’s service.”

The survey, which is completely anonymous, is available via the North Wales Police website until July 2.

If you have been a victim of crime, report it to police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.