Violence against women and girls
Violence against women and girls (VAWG)
What is VAWG
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is an unacceptable and preventable issue that affects millions of lives.
The latest statistics show that:
- 1 in 5 women experience sexual assault, or attempted assault, during their lifetime
- 5% of victims are men
- over 27% of women have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16
- 14% of men have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16
- 20% of women aged 16 to 74 have experienced stalking since the age of 16
- 10% of men aged 16 to 74 have experienced stalking since the age of 16
It is clear that women and girls are disproportionately affected by a number of crimes which include:
- spiking
- stranger rape and sexual assault
- cat calling and heckling
- upskirting
- revenge porn
- stalking and harassment that is not part of domestic abuse
- adult exploitation
We recognise that many of these crimes can happen to anyone, regardless of gender however, due disproportionate effect on women and girls, a specific strategy is needed.
VAWG strategy
We support the Government’s Strategy to tackle violence against women and girls. Our own VAWG strategy, in the Swindon CPS, aligns with that of the Government.
Our strategy aims to:
- increase support for victims and survivors, ensuring they have access to appropriate, high-quality support
- enhance efforts to bring perpetrators to justice and improve reporting to the police
- reduce the overall incidence of violence against women and girls.
The VAWG Board
The VAWG Board supports both local and national strategies. It meets quarterly, with representatives from criminal justice agencies, health services and the Council.
Separate boards, chaired by Wiltshire Police address Modern Day Slavery and Sexual Exploitation.
A Strategic VAWG Board oversees the strategy, action plan, and the strategic management of the Multi Agency Task and Coordination group (MATAC).
What does the VAWG team do?
The VAWG team records the experiences of victims and survivors affected by VAWG who have accessed, or attempted to access, support from police, health or charity services.
By capturing this feedback we ensure the service in Swindon is fit for purpose and accessible for those that need it.
The VAWG team also oversee a long term awareness raising campaign, providing local services and education providers with specialist workshops aimed at tackling the general attitudes and beliefs around VAWG.