National Strategy will help us tackle Violence Against Women and Girls in York and North Yorkshire – can you help us deliver it?
Jo Coles, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime has met Rachael Maskell, York Central MP and Claire Douglas, City of York Council Leader and staff and service users at the York Women’s Centre to discuss the new national strategy to tackle violence against women and the difference it will mean in our region.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:
“Unfortunately, everyone knows a woman or girl who has been impacted by violence or abuse. It is something that is happening everywhere; in homes, schools, workplaces, streets, rural communities and online. That’s why the new ambitious national strategy to halve violence against women and girls is so welcome.
Tackling a problem of this size has to be everyone’s business – from the police and criminal justice agencies to our local authorities, businesses, transport partners, health and education providers and the voluntary and community sector. I warmly welcome the new strategy. But much more importantly want to get on with the work we all need to do together to deliver it.
David Skaith, the Mayor and I are determined to make our region a safe place for everyone. To do that we all need to do so much more to ensure every woman and girl in our region is kept safe.
If you can help us to deliver our mission, please get in touch.”
The new strategy focuses on prevention and early intervention; pursuit of perpetrators; and expanding support for victims affected by violence and abuse.
Tackling violence against women and girls is one of David Skaith, the Mayor’s priorities.
The York Women’s Centre, funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and run by Changing Lives, is a welcoming, inclusive women-only environment which aims to improve outcomes for women who may have multiple unmet needs, may have experienced trauma that makes accessing mainstream services particularly difficult. Last year the Combined Authority extended their women’s centre provision with new provision based in Scarborough. In addition, last spring the
Combined Authority opened a new Sexual Assault Referral Centre for victims. There is also a new women’s accommodation project helping to address one of the key regional challenges.
Any partners or businesses who can help to deliver the strategy should get in touch at: info@northyorkshirepfcc.gov.uk