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Objectives & Action Plan

With regards to further implementation of this Strategy, the priority for 2023 is firmly linked to the continuation of the excellent ongoing partnership work with the police and local voluntary sector. Importantly, we will seek to expand the organisations and partners we work with and make tackling VAWG a priority area borough wide.

We will continue to gather evidence on the local issues around women’s/girl’s safety in public places, promote multi-agency working and ensure an accessible and effective provision of support and intervention services for victims and survivors, and for perpetrators of abuse.

As a partnership, we will consider current trends and needs and map out services available to meet those needs. Existing services, from commissioned services such as Solace, to multi-agency meetings such as Domestic Abuse Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (DA MARAC) and Community Risk Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (CR MARAC), can be utilised to support victims of VAWG. If the duties expand or alter for existing services, this may mean that partners will need to undertake further training to be able to provide their services to the required standard and to meet the needs of the individual. Further services and partners may need to be considered where gaps are identified in existing services or where new priorities are identified.

Improved information sharing between partners and services will be key to increased understanding of the local picture and to guiding our objectives and measuring our progress.

VAWG Working Group

To accompany this Strategy, the Community Safety Partnership has established a VAWG Working Group and will establish an Action Plan with the MOPAC VAWG Strategy themes as its framework, based on local needs and trends. This will include umbrella goals and measurable objectives towards each. Progress on these goals will be updated annually as part of this Strategy. The Strategy delivery will be ‘owned’ and monitored in Bexley by the BCSP Board where updates, risks and issues can be raised.

Preventing and reducing VAWG

This will include a joint communication and engagement plan with the community, both online and offline, and focus on targeting underreached and vulnerable groups. Awareness will be shared year-round and there will be joint engagement during focus campaigns, such as the 16 Days of Activism. A training plan needs to include offers for frontline professionals, other professionals, and the public. From offering specialist support to signposting to those services, from challenging abusive and sexist behaviour to personal safety tips.

Supporting all victims and survivors

There needs to be a particular focus on increasing and improving third-sector services, in particular following reporting. This should include ensuring specialised, trauma-informed and holistic approaches to support, with a range on offer to suit the individual needs. Consideration should be had for the accessibility of reporting and whether new mechanisms are needed.

Holding perpetrators to account

This will be a result of improved reporting and information sharing, enabling police response. This should also include intervention services for perpetrators towards preventing repeat offending. Violence starts with words, and we all have a responsibility to challenge behaviour that can lead to violence and make women and girls feel unsafe.

Building trust and confidence

This will largely be achieved by way of increased awareness and training, and a result of improvement of services and police response to reports. A trauma-informed approach is essential and has been a focus of public services in recent years.

To achieve these overarching objectives, further resourcing may be required. A number of funding opportunities are available for VAWG purposes, which include the Safer Streets Fund. We were unsuccessful in our bid for the Safer Streets 3 Fund. However, partners will regularly look for funding opportunities to help tackle VAWG, to develop and improve projects and services in the area.

The London Borough of Bexley also strives to become a White Ribbon accredited organisation, demonstrating our commitment to challenging violence against women and girls and setting actions for champions and ambassadors to lead on this.