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One million adults aged 16 and over experienced sexual victimisation in the year ending March 2026. This includes 5.1 million victims of domestic abuse, stalking or sexual assault and over 800,000 domestic abuse related offences. 7 in 10 women have experienced some form of sexual harassment in public spaces.
Violence against women and girls is happening every day – everyone knows someone who’s been a victim. This is a national emergency.
Abuse can happen anywhere – at home, at work, online, on public transport, or on nights out. It can affect how safe women and girls feel socialising with friends or spending time in the places they should be able to enjoy. It is often dismissed or explained away, but the scale is undeniable.
Too often, women and girls are hesitant to disclose their abuse, due to fear of judgement or not being believed. Nearly two-thirds of young women aged 18 to 24 who regularly visit pubs, bars, or clubs experience sexual harassment or assault on a night out (DrinkAware). How we respond when someone first shares their experience can make a real difference to whether they feel supported and able to seek further help.
That’s why Best Bar None is partnering with the government’s ENOUGH campaign – to strengthen how people respond to disclosures of abuse and play our part in ending violence against women and girls. People often open up first to someone they know – a friend, family member or peer – so the way we respond can make a real difference.
On a night out, the person someone confides in might be a bartender, a door supervisor or a member of the venue team. Best Bar None accreditation looks at how venues protect their customers and staff, including training on harassment and vulnerability, safe spaces, and schemes such as Ask for Angela, which lets anyone who feels unsafe ask staff for discreet help.
Ask for Angela is there for moments when someone needs help straight away. But not every disclosure happens in a crisis. It might be a customer mentioning something at the bar, or a colleague opening up at the end of a shift. Through ENOUGH, we want everyone working in hospitality to know how to respond, by listening, taking what they hear seriously and knowing where to point someone next. We will share the Listen. Believe. Support. approach with our over 4,000 accredited venues and the local schemes that run Best Bar None in 70 towns and cities across the UK.
The same advice applies to everyone, at work or with friends.
When someone opens up to you about experiencing abuse, it can be hard to know what to say or do. Listening and showing you care can help create a safe space for them to share – a space where they feel able to talk openly without fear of judgement.
Here are some simple ways to be there for someone.
Listen
When someone shares their experience of abuse, the most important thing you can do is listen without judgement or interruption, as they might feel scared, ashamed or unsure what to say.
Believe
For many people who disclose abuse, they fear not being believed. Responding with empathy and trust, and not probing for details or questioning what they’ve said, can help them feel validated and empowered.
Support
You don’t need to have all the answers. Just offering your support can have a lasting impact and may help them reach out for more specialist support when, and if, they’re ready.
In the moment, you might not remember every piece of advice, and that’s okay. If someone opens up to you, just try to remember: LISTEN. BELIEVE. SUPPORT.
You don’t need to worry about getting everything right. These three things can make more of a difference than you might realise.
Find out more, including how to get and give support, at gov.uk/enough-support
Derby City Pubwatch has been named National Pubwatch of the Year 2026 at a prestigious House of Lords ceremony, recognising over 30 years of partnership working and dedication to creating safer drinking environments. Chorley, Heathrow and North Lincs Pubwatch schemes were also highly commended.
