Lincolnshire Police are tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) in an attempt to make the county the safest place to live, work and visit.

With long, dark winter nights and Christmas parties approaching, this is now as important as ever.

Detective Superintendent Suzanne Davies is the force lead for VAWG and is committed to working with colleagues, partners and survivors with lived experience to deliver a lasting and real change to the daily lives of women and girls. Her work is supported by three tactical leads and monitored through the VAWG delivery group.  

Their priorities are to:

• Design areas where women and girls can tell the Police that they don't feel safe
• Encourage men to 'call it out' and be upstanders, not bystanders in challenging misogynistic, intimidating and sexist behaviour
• Increase confidence in reporting VAWG crimes and incidents
• Listen to the voices of survivors and those with lived experience to shape the Police response
• To deliver the national delivery plan in Lincolnshire

To deliver these priorities and aims, Lincolnshire Police will be focussing on three pillars as set out by the national framework for delivery.

Pillar One: Building Trust and Confidence

Women and girls have greater confidence in the police response to violence against women and girls, and in our culture and conduct.

Pillar Two: Relentless Pursuit of Perpetrators

Significantly improved investigations into violence against women and girls and more perpetrators facing justice.

Pillar Three: Safer Spaces

A change in how safe women feel in public places – as a result of action policing takes, but also through working with partners and Government.

But why are Lincolnshire Police focussing specifically on VAWG?

The term 'violence against women and girls' refers to acts of violence or abuse that disproportionately affect women and girls.

Lincolnshire Police have commented on shocking statistics concerning violence against women: "The most recent statistics show that one in five women are victims of sexual assault (or attempted assault) in their lifetime (5% of victims are men), over 27% of women had experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16 (14% of men), and 20% of women aged 16-74 had experienced stalking since the age of 16 (10% of men).

"These figures, along with recent tragic cases of female homicide including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer, have had a devastating impact on trust and confidence and set us a huge challenge, along with all of our partners, to rebuild that trust, pursue perpetrators, bring them to justice and make our streets safer. We know our officers and staff work tirelessly to achieve this, but still, there is more to be done as a Force to make this happen.

"While we use the term 'violence against women and girls', this refers to all victims of any of these offences. VAWG includes crimes such as rape and other sexual offences, domestic abuse, stalking, 'honour'-based abuse (including female genital mutilation forced marriage, and 'honour' killings), as well as offences committed online. If you have been affected, you will find information and support by following the links above to our relevant sections. "

What about the Police themselves?

Lincolnshire Police have made it clear that there is no place in the force for those who abuse their positions.

Their website reads: "We are committed to rooting out and challenging sexist and misogynistic behaviours and have highlighted the issue though our internal #SpeakOutNow campaign which promotes being an upstander and not a bystander and challenging or reporting inappropriate behaviour.  

"Any misconduct hearings will be held in public, unless the Chair of the panel does not allow it, and the findings reported in the media."

Street Safe

Streetsafe is a national initiative intended to provide insight into where you have felt unsafe in Lincolnshire public spaces, and behaviours that have made you feel vulnerable. 

Hollie Guard

Hollie Guard is a free personal safety app for your phone. If you ever feel threatened, you can send out an alert via the app, letting your nominated contacts know your location.

Download the app here.

Do you have any advice on how to stay safe, or stories concerning safety in and around Stamford?

Get in touch with Stamford Nub news by emailing [email protected].