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The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has stated that women with visual impairments are not being included enough in conversations about violence against women and girls. Laura Cummings, who works at the RNIB, says that women with sight loss face additional challenges when going out for the evening and that these challenges are often overlooked. She warns that women who have sight loss could be more vulnerable to attack. In fact, some women with visual impairments feel so unsafe that they avoid going out to socialise at night. Georgia Hussey, a 20-year-old student from Belfast, says that she rarely goes out in the evening because she feels more protected at home.
There are many challenges that women with sight loss face when they go out to socialise. For example, they could be unable to identify their attackers, which could make it difficult for the police to investigate and for the attacker to be caught. Dawn Hopper, who is also visually impaired, says that being in crowded places, such as pubs or nightclubs, can be very challenging. Even something as simple as leaving their drinks on a table can be unsafe, as they can’t tell which drink is theirs.
Stephen Anton, who works at the Licensed Taxi Operators Association, stresses that using a legal taxi service is safe. He recommends that passengers take some precautions, such as pre-booking taxis, discussing their journey routes with the driver and sharing a journey electronically with friends or family. He also says that taxis are obliged to carry guide dogs or other assistance dogs in their vehicles.
However, there are still many barriers that make it difficult for women with visual impairments to go out at night. For example, there can be litter or other hazards on the street, and handbags can be easy to steal when placed on the floor. Despite initiatives to make venues more inclusive for visually impaired people, more work needs to be done to ensure that these women feel safe when they go out for the evening
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