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LGA response to NAO report on violence against women and girls
The National Audit Office has released a report on violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Responding, Cllr Heather Kidd, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Any instance of violence against women and girls is shocking, saddening, and unacceptable. It is good that the majority of commitments made in the previous government’s VAWG Strategy and Domestic Abuse Plan have been met, but there is still much progress needed in tackling the issue.
“There needs to be a wider societal cultural shift towards preventing abusive and violent behaviour. Women and girls should feel and be safe in all aspects of their lives, and at all times, whether that be in education, at home, work or in their local communities. Nobody should be or made to feel unsafe because of their religion, ethnicity, or their appearance.
“Local government has a key role to play in preventing violence against women and girls and responding to it. Councils work hard to provide the support and safety needed by people who face this threat and want to work with government to improve outcomes for victims and survivors.
“However, long-term funding challenges continue to negatively impact on council’s ability to provide the essential services that make women and girls feel safe, empowered, and confident about their futures.”
Notes:
Every council has to complete a Domestic Abuse Strategy. In addition, councils provide a wide variety of support for victims and survivors. This includes safe accommodation, specialist support services, social care, safeguarding, awareness and education campaigns, social service intervention and work with partner agencies to assess risk to victims and survivors.