1. The Need for a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

2. VAW Definition ‘Violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman, or that affects women disproportionately’ CEDAW ‘Any act of gender based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life’ 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

3. Scope of the Problem 3 million women in UK experience violence each year. VAW costs £40 billion a year. 45% if women in England and Wales experience violence, sexual assault or stalking in their lifetime. 35% of female homicides committed by woman’s partner or ex partner. 66,000 women in England and Wales had undergone FGM and 33,000 at risk of FGM. Between 1,000 and 10,000 women are trafficked into the UK each year. Forced Marriage Unit dealt with 400 cases of forced marriage.

4. VAW Includes Domestic Violence Sexual Violence, abuse and exploitation Stalking Trafficking Female Genital Mutilation Forced Marriage Crimes committed in the name of honour.

5. Children are Victims too In 30 – 60% of DV cases, abusive partner is also directly abusing children in the family. DV is a factor in 2/3 of cases where children have been killed/ seriously injured. 39% of overseas assistance cases dealt with by Forced Marriage Unit involved children under 18.

6. VAW is an Equality Issue Dynamics of power and control. Violence denies women and girls the most fundamental human rights- life, liberty, bodily integrity, freedom of movement and dignity of the person. Recognised as a cause and a consequence of women’s inequality. Gender Equality Duty requires all public bodies to address women’s equality, including issues of safety and violence.

7. Why is VAW an Issue for Everyone? Education- 1 in 2 young men think it is ok to hit a woman. Local Authorities- There is only one Rape Crisis Centre in Wales, 1 service for women fleeing trafficking and sexual exploitation. Criminal Justice System- the conviction rate for rape is less than 6% and there has been no UK conviction for female genital mutilation.

8. Early Warning Signs 40% of victims of serious sexual assault told no one about their experience. 46% of women victims of serious sexual assault told a relative, friend or neighbour, only 12% told police and 10% a councillor.

9. Society’s Attitudes 1 in 3 girls say that cheating justifies violence. NSPCC 1 in 4 believe a woman to be partially or totally responsible for being raped if she wears sexy or revealing clothing. 1 in 3 say a woman is fully or partially responsible if she was drunk and sexually assaulted or raped. 2 in 10 think it is acceptable for a man to hit or slap his wife or girlfriend in response to her wearing revealing clothing in public.

10. Why a VAW Strategy? UK response been fractured with separate policies on specific forms of violence. No coherent perspective on VAW. Focus primarily on criminal justice system. Little around prevention. Most government departments don’t make the connections between VAW and child poverty, social exclusion, community cohesion, economic productivity, safety in public places and education. Support the closing of the gaps through more joined up working. Not entail duplicating good work where it already exists, but providing a framework under which existing work and resources would sit. Work would be co-ordinated across governments at all levels, bring transparency to policymaking, highlight gaps, fulfil international obligations.

11. Aims of a VAW Strategy Women and girls:- 1)are free from harassment or violence. 2)can live a life without fear of violence and in a culture where violence is unacceptable. 3)Know that people will be able to pick up on early signs of violence and help or advice them wherever possible. 4)receive help and support they need quickly to overcome the physical and mental impact of violence. 5)are safe and able to access quality care and support. 6)have confidence in the police and wider criminal justice system.

12. New Legislation Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 and the new Forced Marriage Unit helped 400 victims in 2008. Introduced the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. Sexual Offences Act 2003. Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.

13. What has Been Achieved Conviction rates for domestic abuse has increased by 25% in the last 5 years to 72.5%. Increase of incidents of DV reported to the police increased by 45%.

14. Investment Support services; Victim Support, National Helplines, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, Refuges and Rape Crisis. Criminal Justice system; Specialist Domestic Violence Courts (104 set up), Witness Care. WAG budget increased sevenfold since 2002 and now stands at £3.7 million for 2009/10. WAG supporting 16 projects across Wales including 2 domestic abuse helplines, DA co- ordinators, 5 DA One Stop Shops.

15. PREVENTION PROTECTION PROVISION

16. Prevention Intervention designed to prevent violence against women from occurring and/or early interventions to prevent further harm e.g:- education to change attitudes and perceptions. identifying those at risk e.g. pregnant women. reducing harm already caused together with rehabilitative programmes for perpetrators.

17. Protection Intervention designed to keep abused women safe and hold abusers accountable e.g Perpetrator programmes Identifying and tackling repeat offenders Improving women’s confidence in the criminal justice system Making women’s journey at night safer

18. Provision Interventions designed to provide emotional and practical support to victims e.g. The services a woman should expect to receive if she were a victim of violence outreach services Health services Support services – counselling

19. What’s happening now? WAG consultation ‘Strategic action plan to address violence against women and to update the Welsh Assembly Government’s domestic abuse strategy’ closes on the 21st September. Launch of the ‘Violence Against Women; Why an Integrated Strategy in Wales’ produced by the Wales VAW Action Group on the 6th October at the Senedd. Home Office will be publishing their VAW strategy in the Autumn.

20. Discussion How can we help prevent violence against women? What should be done to protect women? What services should be available to women who have been victims of violence?