You Said, We Did – Violence Against Women and Girls
As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I’ve consistently invited residents to share their thoughts on local crime and policing. This year, I’m placing a spotlight on how your feedback directly shapes the way policing is delivered across Dorset. This week, I want to explore another of the top five concerns raised in last year’s survey: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Over the past year, my office and Dorset Police have taken a proactive, multi-faceted approach — combining funding, scrutiny, partnerships, and public engagement — to combat VAWG in Dorset.
Strong enforcement work is playing a vital role in tackling VAWG. Through initiatives like Operation Vigilant, police officers are taking proactive steps to identify and challenge potential offenders in the night-time economy, ensuring our streets are safe places for women and girls. These actions form just one part of our wider approach. Alongside supporting enforcement, my office has also worked with partner agencies to ensure that VAWG reporting is handled correctly by the police, that sufficient support services are available to victims, and that work continues to make our public spaces safer.
In 2023, I established the VAWG Scrutiny Panel, which has continued throughout 2024 and into 2025. The panel reviews how public contact relating to VAWG cases — such as rape, stalking, and domestic abuse — is handled, to ensure reports are dealt with appropriately and that victims receive the most compassionate service possible. The results have been largely encouraging, with most cases receiving a victim outcome rating of 4 or 5 — indicating a satisfactory or better experience. To ensure the panel’s work influences day-to-day policing, key insights and learning points are shared in a monthly newsletter for frontline officers. These reflections are reviewed and addressed by the Force’s VAWG lead to drive continuous improvement.
In April this year, I commissioned Victim Support Dorset to deliver a comprehensive range of services for victims of crime across the county, including those affected by domestic abuse. As part of this new provision, victims of domestic abuse can access dedicated support services from Monday to Friday, alongside a national support line and Live Chat services that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service also includes specialised support for children and young people impacted by domestic abuse.
Victim Support is just one of several services my office commissions to support the victims of VAWG in Dorset. We also provide funding for the Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC) service, delivered by You Trust/Paragon. This service supports individuals experiencing stalking, offering both practical and emotional assistance to enhance their safety — whether that involves relocating to a new address, navigating the police or justice system, or understanding civil orders.
Additionally, my office funds the Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS), which offer free one-to-one support to anyone of any age or gender living in Dorset who has experienced sexual violence at any point in their life. Circles South-West also receive funding to deliver educational programmes for young people, aimed at reducing the likelihood of them engaging in physical or non-physical sexual violence.
Over the past two years, a number of projects in Dorset have benefited from additional government funding, following a joint bid by my office, Dorset Council, and BCP Council. In the last year, this funding has
supported the launch of the Unity Promise in Bournemouth town centre. The project has seen 40 venues sign up to the charter, which reassures customers that each business takes female safety seriously. The charter includes a practical checklist for venues, such as staff training, as well as expert-led safety audits that offer advice on how venues can be adapted to enhance safety and reduce the risk of crime.
In the Dorset area, the Pineapple Project is making a real difference by helping young people understand the dangers of exploitation and sexual harm. Around 700 students from local schools and colleges have already taken part in workshops run by the Pineapple Project, with many choosing to share their own experiences — opening the door to honest conversations. These sessions not only equip young people with the knowledge to spot risks beyond the home but also encourage respect and highlight the importance of recognising harmful behaviour.
Everyone deserves to feel secure — whether walking through town at any hour or within the walls of their own home. My office remains committed to partnering with organisations that share our goal of making Dorset a safer place for women and girls. It’s also important to recognise that many crimes, such as spiking and stalking, are never officially reported. If you have experienced such offences, either recently or in the past, I encourage you to reach out to Dorset Police or other support services whenever you feel ready, so you can begin accessing the guidance and assistance available to you.
I hope this newsletter has given you a clearer picture of the work my office and Dorset Police are doing to tackle the issues that matter most to local people. Your opinions truly shape how we deal with crime in Dorset, so please take a few minutes to share your thoughts in the survey. Your voice can help make a real difference.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner