Decision details

Members were informed that Violence Against Women and Girls was an umbrella term used to describe a range of violent or abusive acts and behaviours against women including domestic abuse.

In response to a government consultation in 2019 on a multi-agency approach to preventing and tackling serious violence, there was an overall consensus for a legislative approach to a duty. As a result, the Serious Violence Duty (‘the duty’) was legislated for as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act 2022 (‘the PCSC Act’) and was a key part of the government’s commitment to reduce and prevent serious violence.

The duty covered the requirements set out in chapter 1 of part 2 of the PCSC Act 2022 where it requires specified authorities, the Police, Local Authorities, Fire and Rescue Authorities, Youth Offending Teams, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Probation Services, to work together to formulate an evidence-based analysis of serious violence in a local area and then formulate and implement a strategy detailing how they will respond to those issues.

The local Strategy for Broxtowe was approved by Members in 2022 and sets out our commitment to increase awareness and reduce the prevalence of serious violence, domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

It was queried whether a list of contacts could be distributed to Members.

RESOLVED that the updated Serious Violence and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, be approved.

Reason

Sections 5 and 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 require the Council and other responsible authorities to formulate and implement strategies to reduce crime and disorder in the area; Section 17 places a duty on the Council to do all it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in the area. By updating and further implementation of this strategy contributes towards the Council’s duties in this regard.