From the Chamber: Tackling violence against women and girls

I’m currently ward councillor for Evendons and am delighted to have recently joined the Executive on Wokingham Borough Council as lead member for Community Safety and Public Protection. This new role comes with a responsibility to ensure that everyone in our borough can live, work, and thrive without fear of harm.

One area I’m particularly passionate about is tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG). I was asked to take on this portfolio due to my previous campaigning in this area, and I am committed to making a tangible difference.

Wokingham Borough Council has made significant progress in these areas since the Liberal Democrats took control in 2022. We approved the borough’s first ever Violence Against Women and Girls strategy and action plan in 2023. This strategy recognises the broad impact of VAWG, puts victim-survivors at the heart of our efforts, and aims to create the cultural and behavioural shifts necessary to change attitudes toward women and girls.

A key element of our approach is our commitment to becoming a White Ribbon accredited organisation. White Ribbon UK focuses on preventing VAWG by addressing the root causes, including harmful attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate gender inequality and violence. Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to promoting respect and allyship within the council and the broader community. By leading by example, we can inspire a collective effort to prevent violence against women.

This commitment marks a significant shift from previous council administrations. In 2021, the  then-Conservative-led council refused to contemplate seeking White Ribbon accreditation and sought to make this a party political issue. Shockingly not a single one of their councillors would agree to take the White Ribbon promise, “never to use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women.” In contrast, the Liberal Democrats believe in fostering a culture of respect and action, both within the council and in our community, ensuring Wokingham residents know we take this issue seriously.

Our White Ribbon action plan has focussed internally so far, aligning with guidance given by the organisation. I will be working with officers as we start to progress the next phase of our action plan to develop externally focused initiatives that strengthen our community’s role in addressing VAWG. Furthermore, White Ribbon has senior council leadership support and commitment, with a Director of the Council proving oversight and leadership to ensure delivery of the next phase.

Another example of progress is the recently approved Domestic Abuse Strategy. Co-produced locally with input from both victim-survivors and local support organisations , this strategy uses local data to understand the needs of all of those affected by domestic abuse regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or circumstances. It takes a survivor-centred approach and builds on achievements such as our Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation and improved accommodation options for victim-survivors. Beyond statutory duties, we aim to raise awareness and break the cycle of abuse.

While my portfolio includes other critical aspects of community safety, such as tackling anti-social behaviour and upholding trading standards, I’m proud of the strides we are making on VAWG and domestic abuse. I look forward to sharing more about our work in future updates.

It’s an honour to take on this role and I pledge to work tirelessly with our officers to ensure we continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all our residents.