Campaign reply - VAWG strategy seems discriminatory

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about violence against women and girls.

I have always been clear that protecting women and girls from violence and supporting victims is of the utmost importance. I was glad to stand on a manifesto which pledged to continue the fight against the perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

I welcome the publication of the tackling violence against women and girls strategy to ensure women and girls are safe everywhere - at home, online and on the streets. The strategy will increase support for victims and survivors, increase the number of perpetrators brought to justice and reduce the prevalence of violence against women and girls in the long-term.

A number of measures in the strategy are focused on practical action to increase physical safety in public places. This includes the £5 Million ‘Safety of Women at Night’ Fund, in addition to the Safer Streets Fund, which focuses on the prevention of violence against women and girls in public spaces at night, including in the night-time economy. This could include targeting parks and alleyways, and routes from bars, restaurants and nightclubs. I am pleased Truro and Falmouth has received £65,000 from the Safer Streets Fund.

I also welcome the creation of a new online tool 'StreetSafe', which builds on the Safer Streets Fund and provides women and girls with a way to anonymously and quickly pinpoint areas where they have felt unsafe and say why – be it from a lack of lighting or CCTV or because of the people around them. I understand that more than 15,000 reports have been submitted to date.

It is vital that good practice is shared and the new tackling violence against women and girls strategy will make this happen. The Government has introduced a new national policing lead on violence against women and girls. The lead will be the point of contact for every police force and will ensure best practice is shared and that progress on improving the response to these crimes is being carefully monitored.

Furthermore, earlier this year, the Government announced that it would launch a public consultation by the summer recess on whether there should be a new offence of public sexual harassment. The Home Office has also launched the ‘Enough’ communications campaign which challenges public attitudes and tolerance towards crimes such as public sexual harassment and aims to ensure victims know how and where to report it.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.