Commissioner seeks radical ideas to combat male violence against women and girls

A ground breaking conference is being hosted by Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez to seek radical ideas to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The key focus is an urgent need to change the attitudes and behaviour of men and boys rather than putting the onus on women and girls to keep themselves safe. 

The Commissioner says unacceptable increasing VAWG crime figures and ‘woeful’ criminal justice results for rape and sexual and domestic violence offences highlight that victims should not be expected to shoulder the trauma of the widening gap between men and women’s attitudes. 

This month, leaders and key stakeholders whose work is at the forefront of seeking to end VAWG across the South West will be united at a one-day conference in Exeter that will be the catalyst for proactive and collaborative action to combat VAWG. 

Around 100 key frontline professionals have been invited to attend the event including police officers, council representatives, charities, victim services and policy makers. Key speakers will include Commissioner Hernandez and child sexual exploitation survivor Clare Gollop who has worked within policing for more than 20 years, influencing police and partnership prevention and response efforts.  

Clare has been recognised in honours for services to victims of modern slavery and services to vulnerable children, for her leadership of the National Police Modern Slavery Programme and as Director of the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit during Covid 19. She has recently helped to establish the NPCC National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection and is currently seconded to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Devon and Cornwall. 

Commissioner Hernandez says the conference will give everyone a platform to share their ideas and agree on up to 10 new radical ways that can be supported by the OPCC to combat VAWG. They will be developed during facilitated discussions throughout the day. 

She said: “It is essential that the focus for change has to be on men who commit these despicable acts of violence rather than expecting victims to do more than they already do. 

“Criminal justice results for rape and sexual and domestic violence are woeful – despite the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) working hard to gain charges. Evidence often does not meet the requirements needed to secure convictions.  

“We need to rethink who should be the solution to this problem. It’s high time to stop asking women to do more and require men to step up and help. 

“All ideas that come up during the day won’t be in vain and you don’t have to be invited to the conference to submit ideas as I want to hear from as many people as possible. You can do so directly by clicking here.” 

According to latest figures, stalking offences reported to Devon & Cornwall Police have more than doubled with the past 12 months. The surge is believed to be partly due to improvements in crime recording. Increases have also been recorded in harassment, domestic abuse, rape and other sexual offences.   

The government’s 2024 manifesto has pledged to halve VAWG in a decade as part of its Safer Streets mission. In the meantime, the OPCC remains committed to commissioning services to prevent offending and support survivors of stalking, abuse and sexual violence. 

A new joint commissioning approach led by the OPCC to improve services for domestic abuse and sexual violence victims will be launched in October. The aim is to reduce waiting lists and provide a collaborative response to meet victims’ needs. 

The OPCC funds an Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC) to support victims of stalking alongside commissioning numerous victim support services and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) available through The Bridge Project South West. 

The Commissioner also sponsors the Combatting VAWG category as part of the annual West Country Women Awards which will be held in November. The award is about recognising innovative and challenging work to keep the region one of the safest parts of the country. 

The deadline for nominations for the award and all other categories is Sunday, August 3. To make a nomination please visit Nominations – West Country Women. 

Victims of rape and serious sexual offences in Devon and Cornwall can find out what happens when such crimes are reported to the police and the support available throughout the process through a new video created by the OPCC as part of its wider Criminal Justice and You online resource. Please visit https://victimcare-dc.org/your-journey-through-the-criminal-justice-system/

Support is also available from Devon & Cornwall Police Victim Care Unit (VCU) which provides free support to victims – regardless of whether a crime has been reported to the police or not. To make contact please click here or call 01392 475900.