Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls through support, scrutiny and enforcement

Over the past few weeks, my newsletters have all been linked by a very important theme – Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). From stalking to domestic abuse, sexual violence to online safety and child exploitation, we have covered a range of topics, all connected through the topic of VAWG. Sadly, there is no magic formula to solving or stopping these abhorrent offences instantaneously. Tackling VAWG goes beyond the powers that policing has; it needs societal changes, deep understanding of the issues at play, support for victims and collective responsibility.

I am fully committed to doing all I can to enable Dorset Police and our partners to robustly deal with these heinous crimes. In my role as Police and Crime Commissioner, this includes engaging and commissioning vital support services to help victims, as well as working with those who are helping to prevent incidents of harm across the county. Some of these services have featured in my newsletters, highlighting the work of STARS Dorset, The Shores and Victim Support to Mankind and You Trust/Paragon among many others. I am proud to commission these valuable services and thank them for everything they do to help victims of crime. I know how difficult it can be for victims to seek help, which is why it is integral to support organisations like Victim Support, The Shores and STARS who provide emotional and practical help for victims.

Another key aspect of my role is to scrutinise Dorset Police for the work they are doing to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, and ensure they are providing the best possible service to victims of crime. One of the ways in which I do this is through the VAWG Scrutiny Panel my office administers. This panel, set-up in 2023, 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 and delivering the most compassionate service possible. This panel also sits alongside the RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) scrutiny panel to ensure investigation standards and victim service is maintained.

At each meeting of the VAWG Scrutiny Panel members consider six cases and victim phone calls to Dorset Police which address a certain crime type including stalking and harassment, domestic abuse, RASSO and child exploitation, with the offences rotated on a quarterly basis. Constructive and critical feedback is provided, with findings being used to inform and promote good practice, policy development, and identify training needs.

Since the Panel’s inception, six meetings have been held reviewing cases of RASSO, stalking and harassment, domestic abuse, public space and tech-enabled crimes. Positive feedback from the panel is shared in a monthly newsletter for frontline staff and where there is room for learning, this is picked up by the Force lead for VAWG. Through scrutiny at a granular case-by-case level, I am positive that this panel will continue to improve outcomes for VAWG victims in Dorset. 

I am adamant that women and girls must be safe, and feel safe, whether on a night out or in their own homes. It is not up to women to continually find ways to ‘stay safe’; we need to push for change on the issues which are deeply entrenched in our society. Only change on this scale will help to reduce the number of offences men commit against women and show the next generation that we will not stand for this violence against women and girls.

From education and interventions for young people including consent training and advice on respectful relationships, to the relentless work Dorset Police do to help victims of VAWG offences, I want to assure the people of Dorset that a huge amount of work is happening to prevent and deal with these harmful crimes. I will continue to work with any group that wants to make Dorset a safer place for women and girls. Their safety is, and remains, a key priority for my Office, Dorset Police and our partners across the county, and we will continue to deliver upon that.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner