Aiming to cut violence against women and girls in half over the next ten years will require a significant shift in cultural norms, according to a government minister.
Home Office Minister Alex Davies-Jones emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of women and girls, acknowledging the bravery of survivors as a driving force behind her dedication to the cause.
During the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Ms. Davies-Jones shared that interacting with survivors of abuse was both a privilege and a source of inspiration for her.
She emphasized the need for a collective effort across various government departments, such as Education, Health, Housing, and the DWP, to ensure the safety of women and girls throughout the country and to provide necessary protection in times of crisis.
Ms. Davies-Jones stressed the importance of a 10-year strategy focusing not only on financial support for policies but also on instigating cultural change, effective leadership, and altering public perceptions to garner support for the cause.
Key initiatives in this drive include the implementation of “Raneem’s Law,” which involves deploying domestic abuse specialists in emergency control rooms, enacting legislation on various forms of abuse, and ensuring transparency when sexual offenders change their identities.
Last year, Keir Starmer pledged to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by 50% within a decade. Recent data indicates that nearly 2% of adults in England and Wales were victims of sexual assault in the past year.
Statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that approximately 900,000 individuals over 16 experienced sexual assault or attempted offenses during that period. Additionally, one in eight women encountered domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking within the same timeframe.
The Welsh Labour MP expressed admiration for the remarkable women she met, highlighting their strength as a motivation for her continued efforts. She emphasized the emotional difficulty of the work but underscored her commitment to channeling that pain and passion into progress and improvement.
At Reach and our affiliated entities, we and our partners use cookies and other identifiers to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and deliver personalized advertisements. You can opt out of data sharing at any time by selecting the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” option at the bottom of the page. Your preferences apply to the specific browser used. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies and consent to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.