16 Dec Vulnerability checklist to keep everyone safe this Christmas party season
Vulnerability checklist to keep everyone safe this Christmas party season
By Sarah Walker
December is one of my favourite months in London. The lights go up, diaries fill with celebrations, and thousands of staff parties take place across the capital. But the festive season also brings a rise in vulnerability. People drink more, venues get busier, and those everyday behaviours we all rely on to keep each other safe can slip if we’re not paying attention.
At the Women’s Night Safety Charter, we want everyone to enjoy this period safely – staff, customers, students, visitors, and party-goers. That means taking an extra moment to look out for one another and making sure the right measures are in place wherever celebrations are held.
As our conversations with signatories across hospitality, retail and security have shown, women experience vulnerability day and night. Issues range from harassment in venues to intimidation on the way home, and these concerns are consistently raised in our research and focus groups.
Age, environment and circumstance all shape how safe someone feels, but the message is the same: we each have a role in reducing harm and supporting those who need help.
What vulnerability looks like during the festive season
The most common vulnerabilities we see during December are everyday situations that, combined with alcohol or unfamiliar surroundings, can quickly escalate. These include:
- Being under the influence
Alcohol lowers inhibitions and awareness. People may become separated from friends, misread situations, or struggle to make safe decisions. And businesses tell us repeatedly that late-night intoxication contributes to abusive behaviour in customer-facing environments.
- Unwanted attention or inappropriate behaviour
Sexual harassment is still the most common issue women report. Our toolkit highlights how normalised this behaviour has become, particularly in pubs, clubs and bars, where 72% of young adults say they have witnessed sexual harassment on nights out.
- Phone battery dying or losing contact with others
It sounds simple, but a dead phone leaves someone unable to navigate, call a taxi, or reach a friend. Some locations have chosen to become designated Safe Havens to support our work. They’re places like pubs, cafes and transport hubs where women feeling unsafe can get temporary help, contact services, or just find a moment of respite, with staff trained to assist and contact authorities if needed.
- Not knowing the area
Office parties often take place somewhere staff aren’t familiar with. People can become lost, disoriented, or unsure where to go for help, especially when travelling home late.
- Travelling home alone
Many women we’ve spoken to say this is the moment they feel most unsafe. After a shift, after a night out, or simply waiting for a bus. Research for the Charter identified public transport, particularly buses, as a key area where women feel vulnerable. And you can read about
Once you’ve spotted vulnerability, this is how you can help
Everyone:
One of the simplest and most effective tools we have is human connection. A quick “Hello,are you OK?” can interrupt harassment, empower someone to speak up, or reassure a person who is feeling overwhelmed.
More often than not, people will say when something isn’t right – but that question inviting them to say their problem is key.
Businesses hosting Christmas parties:
Your Christmas party should be a space where staff feel safe, respected and supported. So:
- Have a clear zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment
- Make sure people know how to report concerns
- Plan ahead for vulnerable guests by checking the venue has trained staff, good lighting and a clear point of contact if something goes wrong.
Training support available from Safer Business Network
The festive season is the perfect time to ensure staff are confident in spotting vulnerability and knowing how to respond. There is no substitute for proper training, and Safer Business Network provides several accessible options:
WAVE Training: Practical guidance on identifying vulnerability and taking safe, appropriate action. Both include training on Ask for Angela, a widely recognised safeguarding intervention that empowers staff to discreetly support someone who feels unsafe. We now offer WAVE Hospitality and WAVE Retail and sessions start at just £8.
Active Bystander training (Susie Lamplugh Trust): A 30-minute, high-impact session helping staff safely intervene when witnessing harassment
Safe Haven training: Free training that equips businesses to assist anyone who becomes vulnerable – offering a place to wait, charge a phone, or get help contacting friends or services.
STAND:UP VR: New for 2026, this is a first of its kind training where users enter an immersive experience using virtual reality headsets to spot dangers and intervene safely.
London is a safe city
But safety doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because we look out for one another, we intervene early, and we ensure the places where we work and socialise take women’s safety seriously.
As we head into the busiest nights of the year, let’s keep that commitment front and centre. If you’re a business wanting to strengthen your approach this season, explore our training options or consider signing up to the Women’s Night Safety Charter.
Together, we can make sure everyone gets home safely.