PCC announces strategy to improve the safety of women and girls
Ahead of White Ribbon Day, Matthew Barber has today (22/11) announced a Thames Valley-wide strategy aimed at improving the lives of women and girls.
Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) has been bought into sharp focus by recent tragic and high profiles cases. This strategy sets out the role we can all play in ending VAWG as part of a coordinated partnership response in the Thames Valley.
Announcing the strategy, Matthew said: “Today’s strategy launch highlights the positive work my office is leading on across the Thames Valley in improving the lives of women and girls.
“The risks to both women and girls in our communities can take many different forms, from domestic abuse to public place harassment, stalking to sexual violence. Therefore, it is important that a variety of responses are in place to ensure the Thames Valley is a safer place for all women and girls.
“In response to this, I am pleased to be supporting a range of initiatives to make our streets safer. This includes the development of schools-based programmes to focus on the safety of women and girls, and additional activity focused on street harassment, stalking, sexual assault, rape and predatory behaviour.
“I am committed to improving the safety of women and girls across the Thames Valley through the key priorities set out within my Police & Criminal Justice Plan.”
As part of the strategy, the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner has set a number of key priorities and objectives including:
Creating clear pathways of support
Commissioning quality victims’ services and effective interventions
Delivering a system wide approach to improve the safety of women and girls
Ensuring the voices of women and girls are heard
Holding police and criminal justice agencies to account
This strategy will be delivered alongside Thames Valley Police, Local Authorities and in partnership with a variety of specialist organisations whose work will ensure the Thames Valley is a safer place for women and girls.
For further information, please download a copy of the strategy on the OPCC website.
