Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership Statement of Intent

Violence Against Women and Girls is one of the most important issues we face. It is defined by the UK Government as “acts of violence or abuse that we know disproportionately affect women and girls.”

In South Yorkshire, we want to ensure that women and girls are safe and feel safe in all settings.

Violence, abuse and harassment, in all its forms – whether in the home, a workplace, an educational setting, a park, at a party, on our streets, or in a pub or club – will not be tolerated. Women and girls must feel safe and listened to, and our criminal justice system and support services must work effectively for victims and survivors.

We need a change in male attitudes and behaviour, and we need to dismantle the long-term systemic factors which encourage and enable Violence Against Women and Girls.

Working together as partner organisations in South Yorkshire, we commit to the following:

  1. We will build the trust and confidence of women and girls as we tackle violence against them and provide comprehensive support for victims.
  2. We will develop effective strategies to prevent and reduce Violence Against Women and Girls, bringing about long term change through education and challenging perpetrator behaviour.
  3. We will improve the confidence of victims to report incidents.
  4. We will ensure that our criminal justice system and support services work effectively, so perpetrators are brought to justice and victims and survivors receive appropriate support, reflecting the different needs and experiences of each individual.
  5. We will take into account factors which can make some women and girls more vulnerable, and the way these interact with each other. This includes, but is not limited to, disability, culture, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity.
  6. We will challenge and condemn sexism and misogyny in all its forms.
  7. We will be self-reflective, improving our organisational cultures by addressing inappropriate attitudes, behaviours and activities.
  8. We will listen to victims and survivors, ensure their views are included in our decision making, and give a voice to the most marginalised women and girls.
  9. We will maintain regular communication and share relevant information with each other, to avoid duplication of work, maximise external funding opportunities, make effective use of resources, and share good practice.

Our Partners

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit

South Yorkshire Police

Sheffield City Council

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Doncaster Council

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

Sheffield Hallam University

Voluntary Action Rotherham

Voluntary Action Sheffield

Probation Service, Yorkshire and The Humber

HM Courts and Tribunals Service

CPS

Rotherham Safeguarding Adults

Safer Barnsley Partnership

Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

The Safer Rotherham Partnership

Sheffield Adult Safeguarding Partnership

South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Barnsley CVS

Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust

Voluntary Action Doncaster

Barnsley Safeguarding Adults Board

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

Barnsley Safeguarding Children Partnership

Doncaster College

Gender Action