Community groups throughout West Belfast, in partnership with Sinn Féin, have launched the 'Safer Streets for All' campaign.
Sponsored by the Andersonstown News, the project was launched in the newspaper's West Belfast headquarters last Wednesday, 12 March.
Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Maskey, who is chairing the group, said the party has joined with community groups throughout West Belfast in a partnership in response to a number of sex attacks on women in recent months.
"We felt there had to be a community response to these attacks," said the Sinn Féin councillor. "Coupled with the growing concern at the seeming rise in street violence, from knife attacks to violence against the elderly, we felt it necessary to unite as many strands of community opinion as possible."
The groups involved have come together over the past six weeks or so to prepare an action plan they hope will contribute to making the streets safer for everyone.
They intends to mobilise the broadest possible partnership of groups, agencies and residents of West Belfast in actions ranging from the distribution of leaflets to self defence classes for women.
"We hope to highlight issues around the abuse of alcohol and drugs, the spiking of drinks in pubs and clubs, while also looking at ways to improve the safety of the young, elderly and disabled within our community," added Maskey.
Among the community groups present at the launch were Footprints Women's Centre 90 923444; Aran Women's Group, St James' 90 220700; Falls Women's Centre, 90 327672; the Rape Crisis Centre 90 602628; Drugs and Alcohol Unit (WBPB) 90 809202; and Link Women's Group, 90 200774.
Paul Maskey told An Phoblacht that any West Belfast Sinn Féin representative can be contacted in relation to the project through any of the party's offices.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)
