"Councils are determined to help tackle violence against women and girls in our local communities, and work alongside police, the NHS, and charities to make sure we do all we can to protect women and girls from all forms of abuse."
Responding to today’s Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) report on violence against women and girls, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:
“Councils are determined to help tackle violence against women and girls in our local communities, and work alongside police, the NHS, and charities to make sure we do all we can to protect women and girls from all forms of abuse.
“Policing alone cannot tackle violence against women and girls. This is why a whole society response is needed to give women and girls confidence that there is not just the will but also the power to improve things through cultural change.
“It is clear that if society is to truly achieve significant reductions in violence against women and girls, as well as support victims, long-term funding for tackling domestic abuse is key. That is why we continue to urge the Government to revisit this area as a matter of urgency. There needs to be an equal focus on, and funding for, prevention and early intervention measures that aim to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
“Local authorities stand ready to work with all partners to tackle violence against women and girls. This approach must be underpinned by a Government commitment to provide the appropriate long-term funding and support required to give us the best possible chance of making real progress in our efforts.”