Notice of Motion

GREEN, LABOUR & CONSERVATIVE GROUPS

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS (VAWG)

This council:

-     re-commits itself, ahead of the 16 Days of Action to End VAWG to do all it can to end violence against women and girls, and support those affected

-      notes that a draft council VAWG strategy will be brought to a future TECC for members to discuss – and the need to take into consideration the recent Fire & Rescue services report, to aid the council’s strategy [1]

-       acknowledges the work being done with council teams, voluntary groups, schools and other educational settings to address issues around healthy relationships, male privilege, toxic masculinity, hate crimes and consent, and vows to continue to do more, and to challenge misogynistic attitudes.

Requests that:

-      the Chief Executive contacts PCC Katy Bourne, requesting a meeting with the CEO, lead councillors and CVS partners to discuss the emerging VAWG strategy, and urge strong actions on hate crime and misogyny;

Further, requests that the Chief Executive, using the necessary protocols, ensures that the council annually supports the UN 16 Days of VAWG Action through

-      a minutes’ silence for those killed; lighting public buildings orange and wearing orange ribbons, to align with the UN’s commemoration;

-       encouraging appropriate events and displays in public buildings, working with survivors’ organisations and communities affected by violence and hate crime.

Proposed by: Cllr Powell                              Seconded by: Cllr Grimshaw,

                                                                                                                  Cllr Simpson
Supporting Information

[1] recent report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), commissioned by the Home Secretary has identified an ”epidemic” of violence against women, including those who identify as women and girls (VAWG) coupled with a national failure to give the issue the priority it deserves.

[2] Nottinghamshire and several other police forces across the UK have introduced their own mysogyny hate crime policy.  Where this has happened, there is evidence to suggest that it has helped women’s confidence in the police and has sparked a changing culture within the force. On 5^th October 2021, the PM ruled out prosecuting misogyny a hate crime, arguing that it would “overload the police and the justice system”. 

[3] a VAWG strategy will be coming to TECC committee in November 2021, and that once it is in place that it will be referred to the next Full Council for debate.