Strategy to tackle violence against women and girls With almost 20,000 domestic abuse-related crimes and more than 3,500 hate crimes in Avon and Somerset recorded in 2020, independent candidate in the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections, John Smith, pledges to protect the most vulnerable from harm if elected, including launching a Violence Against Women and Girls strategy. Recognising that one of the most important roles the police play is to protect the vulnerable from crime and to help those who are victims of crime, John will work with the police and partner agencies to ensure that vulnerable people across Avon and Somerset get the essential support they need if elected on Thursday May 6. He is also pledging to develop a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to improve safety for these groups across society. John says: “Recently, we have seen several very concerning examples of male attitudes to women in our society which contribute to women and girls feeling unsafe.
20
If elected, I would develop a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy which looks at cultural issues in schools and the workplace, lobby for misogyny to become a hate crime and develop a strategy towards safety of women and girls in public spaces in our area including while exercising and during the Night Time Economy.” To further ensure that the most vulnerable people in the region are protected, John’s plans also include: Supporting victims and targeting offenders of domestic abuse: If elected, John will work with the police and other partners to continue to support victims and increase the targeting of offenders. He pledges to both reduce the numbers of these crimes being committed while at the same time increasing the reporting of these crimes by victims. Improving support for victims of rape and serious sexual offences: The Criminal Justice System is too often not serving these victims well. John is pledging to provide additional investment to ensure that all victims of these crimes are listened to, believed and supported, including funding Independent Sexual Violence Advisers and expert legal advocates in court to support victims through their court cases and providing specialist ad trauma-informed training within the police force.
