PRESS RELEASE: Liberal Democrat Councillors to take motion to End Violence Against Women and Girls to Full Council in February.
Liberal Democrat Councillors to take motion to End Violence Against Women and Girls to Full Council in February.
Liberal Democrat Councillors are to call on Guildford Borough Council, Surrey Police and the Government to make a formal commitment to ending violence against women and girls in our borough.
The policy motion will be taken to the first full council meeting of 2022, recognises the work already taking place locally and calls on organisations across Guildford to come together to do more to end the violence, harassment and abuse of women.
Julia McShane, Liberal Democrat borough councillor for Westborough and Deputy leader of the Council said,
"This motion is important. Guildford Borough Council is already working hard to end violence against women and girls, but we can always do more.
"Our motion is about council policy but more importantly is a public statement to all women across Guildford Borough that we stand with and fully support them. We will always do our best to protect them, do everything we can to make them feel safe and, should the worst happen, we want to ensure they have access to the specialist support and care that they need."
Some key points include asking for misogyny to be recognised by Surrey Police as a hate crime, something that, although not yet required by law, seven police forces across the UK have already chosen to do. The motion also recognises the need for an intersectional approach going forward, recognising that there is not a 'one size fits all solution to this problem.
Women make up half of the population and there are many diverse groups and identities, all of whom need special care and support depending on their ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation and age to name a few. At the moment many cannot access this and as a result, often suffer in silence or have their trauma greatly increased. This is often due to the lack of specialist training for Police officers, support workers and at all levels of government, something the Liberal Democrats want to be made mandatory.
Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, commented on the motion saying:
"Over the past year, we have seen the issue of violence against women and girls hit the headlines too many times. Our current system is broken and not fit for purpose, and the Government is not doing enough to fix what is a serious problem faced by 50% of our population daily."
"I am grateful to my Guildford Borough Council colleagues for putting this important motion to council. This is not a problem that we can solve overnight with one motion or policy but it is so important that women locally know that their councillors and council are committed to doing all they can to protect all women from violence and abuse.
"Violence against women and girls is a complex and emotional issue, and women's trust in those organisations supposed to help and protect them is sadly at an all-time low. If we truly want to end violence against all women and girls we have to acknowledge that it happens and that our conviction rates are abysmal, as are the number of cases that make it to trial.
"Many victims will not report abuse or harassment due to stigma, fear of consequences and victim-blaming or not being believed. When they do make a report or complaint, more often than not, victims don't receive the care and support they need. This cannot go on any longer, we have to act now and I am glad that my Liberal Democrat colleagues are leading on this"
The motion, which was scheduled for the December meeting of Guildford Borough Council, was deferred until February due to many councillors being unable to attend as a result of illness and the proposer and seconder of the motion felt that it was too important to be taken at a meeting where many councillors would not be present.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Surrey Police Force definition of a hate crime: