Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is “everyone’s business”
We all know that women and girls have the right to feel safe as they go about their daily lives. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many, who regularly live in fear of violence against them. VAWG, as set out by the United Nations, is any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, whether occurring in public or in private life.
According to UN Women UK, 71% of women and girls of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space, with this number rising to 86% among 18-24-year-olds. Behind closed doors, 83% of domestic violence victims are women. Whilst this focuses on violence against women and girls from men, this is not to say that men and boys and those from the LGBTQ+ community do not similarly experience abuse and violence, but that women and girls are disproportionately affected by this.
In recent years we have sadly seen more open displays of misogyny and gender-based violence in the UK. Locally and in recent memory, the tragic and unprovoked death of Sabina Nessa in south east London brought widespread attention to the deadly consequences that VAWG can have and raised concerns about the safety of women and girls in the UK more broadly.
Although some may feel like VAWG is a private issue, tackling VAWG is everyone’s business. From passersby in the street to our friends, families, and colleagues, we all have a part to play in recognising the signs, supporting victims, and challenging such abhorrent actions.
Whilst recognising the responsibility of individuals to speak up about VAWG, there is no doubt that a larger, whole system approach is needed to combat VAWG across London effectively. From an NHS perspective alone, VAWG has a major impact on our health system. From primary care, mental health, trauma, orthopaedics, maternity, and community services. This costs the NHS an estimated £1.73 billion a year, plus an additional £176 million in mental health costs.
That’s why SEL ICB, alongside London’s other four ICBs and key stakeholders (including London councils and London’s Violence Reduction Unit), have been working closely with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to create a more joint up approach to tackling VAWG across London.
To achieve this, at the recent VAWG Health Summit all key stakeholders agreed on a set of pledges to work towards improving safety for women and girls, with the purpose of setting a collective, pan-London direction for addressing this issue.
During the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the true impact of VAWG, especially domestic violence was brought to the forefront. When lockdown restrictions were in place for instance, Women’s Aid reported a 97% increase in contacts to the perpetrator helpline. At SEL ICB, creating a workplace where everybody feels safe, listened to and supported about gender-based violence is vital for the wellbeing of our staff and the communities they serve.
Below takes a deeper look at each pledge, and how the South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) are working towards implementing positive change:
MOPAC VAWG Pledges
1. We will recognise all forms of violence against women and girls in everything we do.
What we’re doing: At SEL ICB, we are actively raising awareness about workplace safety and the importance of ending VAWG.
Our Freedom to Speak up Guardians are already supporting staff to speak up anonymously about a range of issues. Whilst this service is open for all, we want to encourage those experiencing abusive behaviour or harassment to utilise this service if they don’t feel comfortable talking to people in their lives about their situation.
We also have a whistleblowing policy for staff who have concerns about anything that is happening in the workplace. This could be used to call out any form of VAWG that may be slipping under the radar.
2. We will embed action to end perpetration of violence against women and girls.
What we’re doing: Across SEL ICB, our boroughs attend Domestic Homicide (DHR) & Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) panel meetings, where cases involving VAWG are reviewed. From this, learnings are taken and made into recommendations to actively tackle VAWG.
3. We will work together as London to actively tackle violence against women and girls.
What we’re doing: As mentioned above, we work with our colleagues across London, sharing best practice and supporting each other in preventing VAWG. We also attend the London Safeguarding Designate Children and Adults forums to learn and support each other.
4. We will strengthen workplace safety to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
What we’re doing: We are actively raising awareness about workplace safety and the importance of ending violence against women and girls. This includes creating a safe space for people to speak up about VAWG.
5. We will promote a collaborative learning environment to address all forms of violence against women and girls.
What we’re doing: We’re actively educating our colleagues and stakeholders about the signs of abuse and resources available to report and stop it.
We also have Protected Learning Times (PLT) for Primary Care and Safeguarding GP Forums and Safeguarding Health Forums to promote VAWG.
6. We will ensure an anti-misogynistic environment.
What we’re doing: We have a zero-tolerance policy towards sexism and misogyny at our ICB. We are also actively promoting gender equality and respectful behaviour within the workforce and encouraging open and inclusive discussions regarding gender-related issues.
To conclude, we at SEL ICB are committed to tackling all forms of VAWG through education and collaboration but for meaningful change to happen, this issue needs to be taken seriously at all levels. From the ICB’s senior executives leading by example, to everybody else looking out for their colleagues and the communities they serve. We look forward to continuing our system-wide partnership with MOPAC and its other key stakeholders to improve safety for women and girls in London.