Women run risk in Square toilet

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 8

Women run risk in Square toilet

By KAY FORRESTER A serious attack will occur on women using the men s underground toilet in the Square, predicts the man who co-ordinates volunteers for the police kiosk in Cathedral Square.

Mr Sandy Brunt told Christchurch City councillors yesterday that women used the underground toilet because there was nowhere for them when the women’s toilet was closed. Volunteers on duty in the kiosk timed women going into the toilet as a safety measure. “But we don’t see everyone who goes in. The police kiosk is not responsible for what happens in the men’s toilet. The City Council is,” he said. Mr Brunt said it was only a matter of time

before a woman using the toilet was attacked or robbed. Men had complained at the kiosk about women in the toilet. There had been a report of soliciting, said Mr Brunt.

The council’s cultural and community services committee agreed the toilet was not the responsibility of the police kiosk.

Cr Noala Massey asked for the underground toilet to be closed. The council had been talking long enough. It was appalling to have a toilet in the

middle of the city’s public centre. Cr Carole Evans urged its closing also, and was for an alternative. Cr Alister James said it was impossible to close the toilet until an alternative had been provided. Cr Clive Cotton said alternatives were being sought on the edge of the Square but a replacement was at least three years away. The committee debated extra signs for the toilet and opted for four signs in different parts of the Square.

Three would be arrow signs pointing out both the men’s underground toilet and the women’s restroom. The other would be a four-sided sign at the top of the underground toilet steps, with the word “toilet” and a figure. A suggestion that the sign at the toilet be a flashing light was rejected. “We absolutely cannot have a flashing sign in the middle of Cathedral Square advertising the men’s toilet,” Cr Massey said. The signs are expected to cost $4500.