Agenda item

Cabinet:

1.      APPROVED the VAWG Strategy 2019-2022

The Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2019-2022 was presented to Cabinet by Councillor Viddy Persaud, the Cabinet Lead Member for Public Protection and Safety.

Havering launched its first Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy in 2014. This second VAWG strategy was aligned to the MOPAC VAWG strategy launched in 2018.

Domestic Violence seriously impacted on the lives of families in Havering and was a key demand driver for services such as community safety, children and young people services and housing.

Between January to December 2018, there were 4,061 domestic violence incidents reported to the police and 2,515 domestic violence offences recorded by the police.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales 2017 estimated that 20.5% of people aged 16 to 59 (6.8 million victims) had experienced some form of domestic abuse since the age of 16, which meant there were potentially around 30,000 survivors of domestic abuse currently living in Havering.

In 2018, domestic abuse offences saw an increase by 8.5% nationally; in comparison Havering saw an increase of 13.7%.

Havering had aligned its objectives with those set out in the MOPAC VAWG Strategy for London, in respect of prevention, provision and protection.

The VAWG Strategy was to be delivered over a three-year period.  The action plan would be refreshed annually to take into account emerging trends, or developments in legislation or working practices.  The Strategy would be implemented and monitored by the VAWG Strategic Group, which reported directly to the Havering Community Safety Partnership.  The Strategic Group would also have oversight of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), which reviewed high risk victims within the Borough.  Progress would be reported annually to the Crime and Disorder Overview and Scrutiny Group.

Cabinet:

1.     APPROVED the VAWG Strategy 2019-2022