Image: DCC Maggie Blyth Deputy CEO of the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Violence Against Women and Girls
In July 2024, the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council published the first National Policing Statement 2024 about Violence Against Women and Girls – stating that it has reached epidemic levels in the UK. The report highlighted that at least 1 in 12 women will experience male violence each year – amounting to over 2 million women and girls.
One year on from the report’s launch, West Mercia Women’s Aid (WMWA) is committed to amplifying the voice of survivors and sharing news of the work we are doing to influence change.
WMWA has joined with The RightPath and Everyone’s Invited to deliver the Young Person’s Prevention Project – a programme designed to challenge misogyny, break down harmful stereotypes, and promote healthy relationships in our schools and communities. This has already been delivered to over 10,500 young people across West Mercia through delivering 70 sessions in 36 schools and 20 sessions to 44 young people within the wider community.
Following the sessions, 90% of student participants felt that they could name gendered pressures and explain why they are harmful; and 70% felt they had a better understanding of gaslighting and unhealthy relationship behaviours – showing the importance of influencing the younger generations.
Engaging allies in the face of growing misogyny is becoming increasingly important, and an inspiring example is the Taurus Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association, which recently launched its support for WMWA by riding together through Hereford town centre.
Sue Coleman, CEO at West Mercia Women’s Aid said of the National Policing Statement:
“To have the Police describe Violence Against Women and Girls as an issue of epidemic proportions in the UK was a stark reminder of how widespread this is and how we must condemn it as completely unacceptable. But – as with so many public announcements – this news was quickly eclipsed by other national and international issues, and what was a landmark report was soon forgotten.
“But we have not forgotten. Because we see the reality of that epidemic, day in, day out, in the women that we work with at West Mercia Women’s Aid. And we will continue to remind anyone who cares enough to listen that the Police estimate of one in 12 women who will have experienced violence in the last 12 months – shocking though that figure is – is by their own assessment, an under-estimate as so many women do not report their experience of abuse. We will continue to share their stories, and work to ensure that their voices are heard”.
WMWA works for a world that is free from domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, where everyone can live without the fear and reality of all forms of violence, abuse and discrimination. To donate to WMWA or to find out more, please visit https://www.westmerciawomensaid.org/support-our-work/donations/