Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell has unveiled a progress report detailing the achievements from the last 12 months in the work to tackle Violence against Women and Girls across the region.
The ‘Working in partnership to tackle Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Delivery Plan’ was launched by Emily Spurrell in 2022 after extensive consultation, setting out a clear ambition to protect women and girls, prevent violence, pursue offenders, and ensure tackling VAWG remains a top priority across Merseyside.
The strategy, which was agreed by all political leaders and contributed to by nearly 50 partners across the region, sets out 57 clear, straightforward and achievable actions which all agencies can deliver to help eradicate VAWG.
Three years on, on International Day to End Violence against Women and Girls – and as the strategy reaches its final year – the Commissioner is highlighting significant achievements and new initiatives delivered over the last 12 months, building on the strong foundations laid in previous years since launching the strategy.
Key achievements from the last 12 months include:
- 2,900 officers and staff and more than 5,101 partners have received the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership’s trauma informed training to improve their response to victims and better safeguard vulnerable people
- A further 1,800 frontline officers have had domestic abuse training, with 150 dedicated champions in force now, and further specialist training on stalking being delivered with the support of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust
- Launched the first Femicide Oversight Group to examine why women continue to lose their lives to male violence in our region – and what more can be done to stop it from happening
- 3,782 primary school pupils have been helped to identify inappropriate behaviour through Send me a Selfie programme
- Domestic Abuse Workplace Champion scheme has been refreshed, and 145 new Champions have been trained to better safeguard victims
- New specialist support service for victims of stalking and harassment has been launched
- New regional lead to drive work to tackle Child to Adult or Parent Violence or Abuse
- Increase in positive outcomes in domestic abuse cases & quicker, more effective charging decisions
- Operation Topaz launched sees high risk offenders intercepted on our roads
- Drive launched to tackle inequalities that prevent women & girls getting active
To support these outcomes, the Commissioner has:
- Secured more than £400,000 to protect families by acting early to tackle abusive behaviour
- Published an in-depth review of funding for domestic abuse services setting out 20 key recommendations
- Recruited a new Independent Chair to lead the VAWG oversight panel
- Offered support to more than 131,534 victims of crime through the Victim Care Merseyside hub
- Launched new phases of a partnership campaign #TakingAction with Merseyside Police putting the voices of women and girls first and highlighting the red flags of domestic abuse
- Hosted yearly lived experience workshops to learn from victim-survivors
- Partnered with local support services to host and fund annual vigils to remember Merseyside’s lost women
Take a look at the progress report here for 2024/25.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said: “Three years ago, we set out an ambitious plan to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls across Merseyside and I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made together.
“This partnership has delivered real, tangible change – from expanding training and investing in vital support services to launching innovative campaigns and listening to the voices of women and girls every step of the way.
“This strategy was always designed as a starting point – a catalyst for change. While this is the final year of our original strategy, our commitment to making Merseyside safer for women and girls is unwavering. We will now take the lessons learned, the voices we’ve heard, and the partnerships we’ve strengthened to shape the next phase of this vital work.
“Survivors’ experiences have guided us, and their courage continues to inspire everything we do. Every woman and girl deserves to live free from fear, and I will continue to champion their rights, challenge inequality, and hold agencies to account to ensure we drive lasting cultural change. Together, we will keep pushing forward until violence against women and girls is eradicated from our communities.”
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