A new project dedicated to safeguarding young women is set to expand its services to Dorchester and Portland.

The Pineapple Project, which was started in the Weymouth area, is run by Dorset Council and works to proactively prevent harm and create a safer community for girls.

It aims to provide a safe haven for young women when things don’t go to plan, focusing on ways to prevent incidents occurring.

This may involve stepping into a local shop where they can charge their phone or putting distance between them and the person who is bothering them.

The initiative began in 2022 as a collaboration between Dorset Council, Dorset Police, Weymouth College, and Targeted Sexual Health Service.

READ MORE: Pineapple Project aims to make women in Weymouth safer

Dorset Echo:

As part of the expansion of the project, the team are looking for businesses which have premises in the town centres to sign up to become ‘Community Guardians’.

Applicants will go through a ‘vetting process’, and once approved, they display a Pineapple Project sign in their windows, signifying that they are a safe space for young women who may feel at risk. 

Community Guardians are then equipped to welcome in and assist these young women when they are most vulnerable to experiencing harm.

Cllr Byron Quayle, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, and Early Help, said, “Ensuring the safety of young women is a big priority for us.

“I strongly encourage our Dorset businesses to take a proactive stance by becoming a Community Guardian – your commitment could make a significant difference in the lives of teenaged girls across Dorset.”

Businesses in Weymouth, Portland, and Dorchester, who would like to find out more about becoming a Pineapple Project community guardian, can register their interest on the Dorset Council website: 

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/-/the-pineapple-project