Halving the incidence of violence against women and girls in the next ten years will require a significant shift in cultural norms, according to a statement from the responsible minister. Home Office Minister Alex Davies-Jones emphasized the need for a collective effort to prioritize the safety of women and girls at the core of government initiatives.
Ms. Davies-Jones, speaking at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, highlighted the importance of engaging various government departments, including Education, Health, Housing, and the DWP, to ensure a comprehensive approach to enhancing the safety of women and girls across the country. She stressed the significance of moving beyond a criminal justice perspective and rallying all sectors to contribute to creating a secure environment for women and girls.
The minister underscored the necessity of a long-term strategy that not only allocates sufficient funding but also focuses on instigating cultural transformation and garnering public support. Key policies, such as Raneem’s Law, which involves deploying domestic abuse specialists in emergency response centers, legislations on spiking, deep fake pornography, strangulation pornography, and ensuring disclosure in cases of sexual abusers changing their identities, will be pivotal in the endeavor.
In a related development, Keir Starmer, upon assuming office, pledged to cut VAWG incidents by half within the next decade. Recent data illustrated a concerning trend, with nearly two out of every 100 adults in England and Wales reporting instances of sexual assault in the preceding year. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics estimated that around 900,000 individuals aged 16 and above experienced sexual assault or attempted offenses during that period. Additionally, one in eight women encountered domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking within that timeframe.
Ms. Davies-Jones also shared her encounters with resilient women survivors, describing them as inspirational figures that motivate her work. She expressed a personal commitment to channel the emotions and strength of these survivors into her efforts to advocate for improved measures against gender-based violence.
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