With regards to further implementation of this Strategy, the priority for 2024-2028 is firmly linked to the continuation of the excellent ongoing partnership work with the police and local voluntary sector.
Importantly, we will seek to expand the organisations and partners we work with and make tackling VAWG a priority area borough wide. We will continue to gather evidence on the local issues around women’s/girl’s safety in public places, promote multi-agency working and ensure an accessible and effective provision of support and intervention services for victims and survivors, and for perpetrators of abuse.
As identified by Bexley residents, staff and students, is to educate perpetrators of abuse and violence and focus on changing the behaviour of perpetrators as opposed to survivors and potential victims, as well as putting resources and services in place to increase feelings of safety in public spaces.
As a partnership, we will consider current trends and needs and map out services available to meet those needs. Existing services, from commissioned services such as Solace, to multi-agency meetings such as Domestic Abuse Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (DA MARAC) and Community Risk Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (CR MARAC), can be utilised to support victims of VAWG. If the duties expand or alter for existing services, this may mean that partners will need to undertake further training to be able to provide their services to the required standard and to meet the needs of the individual. Further services and partners may need to be considered where gaps are identified in existing services or where new priorities are identified.
Improved information sharing between partners and services will be key to increased understanding of the local picture and to guiding our objectives and measuring our progress.
To accompany this Strategy, the Community Safety Partnership has established a VAWG Working Group and an Action Plan with the MOPAC VAWG Strategy themes as its framework, based on local needs and trends. This includes umbrella goals and measurable objectives towards each. Progress on these goals will be updated annually as part of this Strategy.
To achieve these overarching objectives, further resourcing may be required. A number of funding opportunities are available for VAWG purposes, which include the Safer Streets Fund. We were unsuccessful in our bid for the Safer Streets 3 Fund. However, partners will regularly look for funding opportunities to help tackle VAWG, to develop and improve projects and services in the area.
Some members of the BCSP are already a White Ribbon accredited organisation, such as the Metropolitan police and London Borough of Bexley, and other members also strive to become accredited to demonstrate their commitment to challenging violence against women and girls and setting actions for champions and ambassadors to lead on this.