Brighton & Hove‘s strategy for preventing Violence against Women and Girls runs from 2012 – 2017. It draws on evidence and recommendations set out in national strategies and action plans for addressing and preventing domestic and sexual abuse and violence against women and girls crime types, as well as on local evidence, commissioning and delivery models, and priorities for action. The Strategy is being refreshed during 2017 – 18.
The strategy is focused around prevention and earlier intervention, provision of immediate support, protection and prosecution and partnership working. Linked to the strategy, the Community Safety and Crime Reduction Strategy 2017 - 20 includes sections and associated action plans for domestic violence and abuse and sexual violence and abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.
As part of our strategy, Brighton & Hove has also achieved 'White Ribbon' Status. Every year during the 16 Days of Action we work with partners to raise awareness of, and encourage people to make a commitment to play their part in standing up to condemn, violence and abuse. You can find out more about click here.
What is Violence against Women and Girls?
In Brighton & Hove, the term Violence against Women and Girls (sometimes abbreviated to ‘VAWG’) is used to refer to a range of crime types, including:
- Domestic violence and abuse;
- Rape and sexual violence;
- Stalking;
- Harmful practices like Female genital mutilation (FGM), Forced Marriage (FM) and Crimes committed in the name of ‘honour’ (HBV)
- Human trafficking and modern slavery
- Historical child sexual abuse
- Sexual exploitation, including commercially through prostitution and the sex industry, and
- Sexual harassment in the workplace and public sphere.
Why Violence against Women and Girls?
The crime types identified above are predominately, but not exclusively, experienced by women and girls. You can see relevant analytical reports on the Brighton & Hove Local Information Service (BHLIS) website, including the 2011 Domestic Violence Needs Assessment. Because the experience of these crime types is gendered, the language used in the strategy reflects the United Nations (UN) Declaration (1993) on the elimination of violence against women, which identified violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that is directed at a woman because she is a woman, or acts of violence which are suffered disproportionately by women, that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to a woman or girl, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”
You can find more information on our work with men and boys if you follow this link.
Where can I get help or support?
The site includes information on the help and support available in the city and nationally. Follow this link to find out more about getting help.
How can I find resources for professionals?
More content, including resources for professionals, will be added to this section as it is developed. Currently information is available on:
- Champions Network
- Domestic Abuse Surgery
- Domestic Homicide Reviews
- Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare's Law)
- E-news - keeping up to date
- Forum - networking opportunities
- Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)
- Training
- Local partnership structure - click here to access a structure chart
Further information:
For further information, or to discuss the strategy, contact Lindsay Adams, the Strategic Commissioner:
Email Brighton and Hove: Lindsay.Adams@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Email East Sussex: Lindsay.Adams@eastsussex.gov.uk
Telephone: 01273 291032 Mobile: 07702 126323