Have your say on what should be done to stop Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence Against Women and Girls refers to any act of violence or abuse that disproportionately affects women or girls and is usually perpetrated by men, including but not limited to domestic abuse, stalking, sexual violence, abuse or exploitation.

However, we recognise that men and boys, transgender and non-binary people can also be victims of these crimes, and that women can also be perpetrators. Although we will use the term ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’ throughout this survey, we welcome responses from anyone – every gender, every age and every situation – to ensure everyone is given the opportunity to have their views represented.

The Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner launched our Joint Strategy to Address Violence Against Women & Girls on 30 June 2022. which sets out our collective commitment to address these issues across different settings, communities and locations throughout North Yorkshire and City of York. When developing our Strategy we conducted an initial online survey for approximately 4 weeks in March 2022.

The responses to this survey were considered alongside feedback from focus groups, with victims and survivors of violence or abuse, to ensure their voices remain central to the development and delivery of our Strategy.

This new survey seeks to understand the difference we have made to-date, and if there is anything else the public think should be done locally to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. We would also like to hear about your specific experiences of violence or abuse, and in particular, the type of response and support you received if you have reported what happened, in order to ensure your views and personal experiences remain central to shaping and driving our local projects and activities.

More information on what Commissioner Zoë and local statutory partners are doing to address violence against women and girls in North Yorkshire and York can be found on the Commissioner’s website: Addressing violence against women and girls in North Yorkshire & City of York (northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk)

The Violence Against Women and Girls survey is anonymous and will be reviewed at least every six months by the Strategic Governance Board. 

If you have been affected by any form of violence or abuse, including historic abuse, FREE confidential help is available for everyone, regardless of gender and whether or not they have reported this to the police – details of all the specialist support services commissioned by the Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, including interventions for offenders, can be found on our website: Commissioned services.