Last week I had the honour of delivering the opening address at an OPCC conference dedicated to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Organised by my office, the event for education professionals including teachers, childcare staff, and those in the sector, focused on keeping our children and young people safe, with a specific focus on early years (0-11 years old).

It was an inspiring, informative, and supportive event, with brilliant expert speakers from services and organisations commissioned by the OPCC who are integral in tackling VAWG in Dorset. Each person commanded the room and delivered vital information to everyone there and I thank them for their valuable input.

My office deliberately focused this event on the very beginning of a young person’s life, as this is a pivotal period when children learn what healthy relationships and appropriate behaviours look like. This is when young people find out what is right and what is wrong. Sadly, for too many of them, this is also when problems start in their young lives. It is why early intervention by the people invited to this event among many others in Dorset, is key to dealing with behaviours which may later lead to harm.

Guests on the day heard from the Head of Violence Reduction at the OPCC, senior officers in Dorset Police who lead on Child Abuse as well as Vulnerability and VAWG, representatives from The Shores – Sexual Assault Referral Centre and STARS – Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service as well as Paragon’s Children’s and Young Persons Domestic Abuse Advocates. Organisations including Respected, Safempowerment, Acts Fast and The Pineapple Project were also represented, providing key information about their work to delegates throughout the day.

In my role scrutinising the work of Dorset Police, I have set-up a VAWG Scrutiny Panel which reviews the handling of public contact relating to VAWG cases such as rape, stalking and domestic abuse to ensure these reports are being handled appropriately. This panel sits alongside RASSO scrutiny panels to ensure investigation standards and victim service is maintained. I have also commissioned victim services including Victim Support, The Shores – Dorset Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), and STARS Dorset to ensure high quality care for all victims of these distressing crimes. Significant Safer Streets funding has also been assigned to provide further support for initiatives to tackle VAWG across Dorset, building upon the work already being carried out by partners. You can learn more about the projects and services I have commissioned here - Commissioned Projects 2023-24 · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (pcc.police.uk)

During the event, it was heartening to hear the enthusiasm for education being a key part of the solution. The message that positive, responsible education as opposed to a fear-based approach is key, is something I fully support. How we communicate with young people to tackle VAWG at an early age is crucial, and it was encouraging to hear the consensus from the delegates at this event.

Of course, we know that to protect women and girls from violence, we ultimately need a societal change in the way women and girls are treated. I want to be clear; this is not a ‘women’s issue’. Men need to be standing side by side with women, providing positive role models for young people. It is imperative that young people learn and understand what healthy relationships look like, and it was extremely encouraging to hear of the work already happening in some schools around this specific topic. While the positive influence of teachers, childcare providers, and those in positions of trust and influence are well placed to guide young people, it is not just their responsibility, it is incumbent upon all of us.

My team will be ensuring this successful event is not a one-off. We want to ensure long-term learnings, and improvements; not simply put a tick in a box. All the feedback we received will be reviewed and where possible, acted upon.

The work to stop Violence Against Women and Girls in Dorset is intensive, painstaking and evidence led. It involves community safety partnerships, multi-agency working and proper robust enforcement and scrutiny of the processes. As the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, I am resolute in my dedication to tackling these abusive, destructive offences, and will continue to work with any group that wants to make Dorset a safer place for women and girls. Their safety is, and will continue to be, a key priority for all partners across our county and I am fully committed to delivering on this for the people of Dorset.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner