Violence Against Women Call for Evidence strategy support sought

Cheshire Constabulary has called on the public to have their say on how dedicated services can offer even greater support to women and girls who have been subjected to violence.

The Government is currently developing a ‘Call for Evidence’ strategy which, in turn, will inform the next Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy.

It is hoped that as many people as possible will respond to a public survey which enables the Government to increase the understanding of, and ability to, tackle VAWG crimes by helping to prevent them from happening, ensuring victims and survivors are supported, and that perpetrators are identified and brought to justice. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Denise Worth, who heads up the Force’s Public Protectorate Department, says: “I would urge as many people as possible to respond to the survey to assist the government’s, and ultimately our own, response to these crimes.

“There is a need to gain greater understanding due to the many people, predominantly women and girls, from a wide variety of backgrounds who are affected. This will help inform a true picture in society and ensure everyone has the ability to be supported by existing services.”

The views of as many people as possible are being sought - not just those who have been directly affected by violence, but also their friends, family and colleagues.

Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane added: “Helping inform the Government’s strategy will lead to a more joined up approach to preventing and ending violence against women and girls.

“Such violence can lead to devastating immediate and long-term consequences including death, and all women are at risk. I welcome a strategy that will enable us to make use of every available tool to tackle these types of crime and see perpetrators brought to justice, ensuring women can fully participate in society without those consequences.”

 Views will also be gathered from those who work for organisations that provide support to victims and survivors such as frontline professionals and policy experts working in social care, education, law enforcement, local government, public health and healthcare.

More information on the Call for Evidence can be found here, where you will also find the link to the public survey which will take around 15 minutes to complete and is available until 11.45pm on 19 February.