Leading the way to tackle violence against women and girls

Police forces, specialist support services, charities, and campaigners across the country have been recognised in a national awards ceremony for their commitment and determination to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The VAWG and Op Soteria Recognition event took place in Central London on Tuesday 17 September to recognise the pioneering work happening across policing to make communities safer for women and girls, as well as acknowledging the work that forces are undertaking to radically change the way they investigate rape and serious sexual offences.
This news comes just two weeks after they launched their ‘Tell Someone’ campaign which centred around Jamie, a brave sexual abuse survivor who decided to waive her legal right to anonymity and tell her story on camera to encourage other victims to tell someone about what happened to them.

Jamie also speaks of her experience with the police, of the criminal investigation, the independent support she received from specialist services, as well as the judicial process from the moment she picked up the phone, to receiving the verdict that her abuser had been sentenced to 24 years in prison, and beyond.

Throughout the campaign, they have been working closely with the independent not-for-profit support service, The Blue Door, who provide services of excellence for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence through advice, advocacy, and therapeutic services.

Jamie was allocated an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) through The Blue Door, who guided her through the entire process. The ISVAs are completely independent to the force and support people whether they have reported to the police or not, and their utmost concern is making sure that people get the right support from the right people at the right time.

Read more here.