Police boss urges females to speak out about male violence
‘THE REALITY OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS IS FELT ALL AROUND US’
WOMEN and girls in Hull are being asked about their experiences of male violence to help Humberside Police gain a better understanding of the scale of the problem.
Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Jonathan Evison has commissioned a study into violence and abuse against women and girls and is working with Victim Focus, an organisation which specialises in working with the Government and policy-makers to challenge abuse.
The anonymous survey will ask for women’s experiences of all forms of violence since birth and they are asking for as many women and girls aged 16 and over as possible to take part in the study to ensure their voices are heard.
PCC chief executive Rachel Cook said: “We are living in changing times. The reality of violence against women and girls is felt all around us, even more so over the past few weeks with heightened media coverage of the dreadful loss of lives we have seen.
“Our office has been looking at this specific issue for some time now and the Police and Crime Commissioner has made it a priority in his Police and Crime Plan to be published next week.
“We have invested in resources to look at long term solutions to address specifically domestic abuse but this agenda goes way beyond violence in the home. This survey is an opportunity for us to better understand the experiences of women and girls in our area so that we can make informed decisions about how we can help to prevent male violence and better protect women and girls.”
The information gathered will be used to make decisions on how best to prevent it in the future.
Ms Cook added: “We shall use the information women provide in order to gain a better understanding of the root causes of violence and abuse and how we can work better together to prevent it.
“We would like to hear from all women, particularly from older women and those who are marginalised by faith or ethnicity.”
The Office of the PCC has a dedicated manager and data analyst who are building a local picture of serious violence including domestic abuse with a specific focus on male ■■To add your voice to the survey, visit, freeonlinesurveys.com/s/ Svl0h1tt#/0.
For anyone who is affected by violence, details of support services can be found at www.youarenot alone.online
The Reclaim These Streets campaign group are holding a vigil in
Hull which is calling for changes in society towards violence against women and girls.
The Hull vigil will take place on Saturday, October 16, at Queen Victoria Square, at 6.30pm.
■■For more information about the Reclaim These Street Hull group visit, www.facebook.com/ groups/275543790836989