Women's safety in the Community with Lottie Lowe | Part 1 | Episode 13 | The Shift Handover

What does keeping women safe really look like and why does self-defence start long before a physical confrontation? In Part 1 of this conversation on The Shift Handover, Dan Sharpe and Marc Smith sit down with Lottie Lowe to explore women’s safety, situational awareness, confidence and the responsibility we all have to challenge inappropriate behaviour. Drawing on years of experience in martial arts, boxing and Muay Thai, Lottie explains why her approach to self-defence isn’t about learning how to fight, it’s about doing everything possible to avoid reaching that point in the first place. From trusting your intuition and being aware of your surroundings to understanding how confidence can affect the way you’re perceived, Lottie shares practical insights into the everyday considerations women make when navigating public spaces. The conversation also goes beyond self-defence to explore a much wider issue: the role men can play in creating safer environments for women. Lottie challenges the idea that simply saying “It’s not me” is enough, and explains why calling out inappropriate comments, sexist jokes and unacceptable behaviour amongst friends can make a genuine difference. Dan, Marc and Lottie also discuss: Situational awareness and trusting your intuition Why confidence can be an important part of personal safety Self-defence and avoiding physical confrontation Women’s experiences of harassment and unwanted attention Why men should challenge inappropriate behaviour Positive male role models and the influence of social media Drink spiking and the duty of care within nightlife security The responsibilities of security professionals towards vulnerable customers Martial arts and building confidence This isn’t simply a conversation about how women can protect themselves. It’s also a conversation about what all of us can do to help create safer communities. If this conversation makes you think differently about safety, security or your own responsibility to challenge inappropriate behaviour, let us know your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe to The Shift Handover for honest conversations, real experiences and perspectives from across the UK security industry.