Working together to end violence against women and girls
LAST Friday, I attended Avon and Somerset Police’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Summit and what an inspiring day it was.
We were joined by more than 120 people from the public and private sector who, by the end of the day, pledged to create a better future for women and girls in our force area.
The partners who attended agreed to much-needed action plans to ensure that women and girls can go about their lives free from crime, abuse, harassment, intimidation and fear.
Tackling VAWG is a strategic priority for me – as outlined in my Police and Crime Plan – and my team and I have been bold in rec
These crimes are disproportionately perpetrated by men against women and we have to start with prevention by addressing the actions of the offender
ognising in my Plan that Male VAWG is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. These crimes are disproportionately perpetrated by men against women and we have to start with prevention by addressing the actions of the offender if we are going to make a difference.
This isn’t something the police can do in isolation, which is why it was brilliant to see such a representative collection of people and organisations at last week’s event.
Preventing and stopping VAWG will take collaboration from all of us to make a lasting change. It has never been more imperative that community leaders, partners, local authorities and third sector organisations continue to listen, learn and improve.
Last week also saw the very first live broadcast of my Performance and Accountability Board, a meeting that involves me scrutinising and holding Chief Constable Sarah Crew to account for delivering policing that is efficient and effective.
The live broadcast – which is still available to watch on my website – was an opportunity for local people and partners to watch me and Chief Constable Sarah Crew talk openly about a broad range of policing issues.
It is absolutely vital that local people are reassured that, as their PCC, I am holding the Chief Constable to account and ensuring that Avon and Somerset Police are being open and transparent.
Legitimacy and trust within communities is so important for the police to deliver the best service possible and this has been highlighted even more over the last few days during an ongoing case that has been seen by many on social media involving an injured 12-year-old boy.
Avon and Somerset Police do not only have to consider what is right by process and by the law but also ensure they are engaging with local people in the right way and considering people’s experience when they contact the force, whether that be as a victim, as an offender or as a member of the public reporting a crime.
This engagement with local and diverse communities across Avon and Somerset is compounded and emphasised by the Identifying Disproportionality in the Criminal Justice System report.
As Chair of the Avon and Somerset Local Criminal Justice Board, and with the support of Chief Constable Sarah Crew, we will ensure Avon and Somerset Police are leading the way in tackling racial disparity and delivering effective and efficient policing and fairer criminal justice services for all.
As part of this, the Chief Constable has volunteered to chair a subgroup that will focus on meeting the recommendations and steering the work that arises from the legacy of this report.
I believe this sends a strong message about how seriously the Chief Constable and the police service is taking this matter and I will continue to scrutinise and monitor the progress of this subgroup.
As ever, if you do have any policing concerns, please contact my office and contact details can be found on my website – www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk