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Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has renewed her support for a national campaign aimed at eradicating gender-based violence.
The County Durham and Darlington PCC is supporting White Ribbon Day – also known as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – and the subsequent 16 Days of Action across the UK.
The global event, held on November 25 annually, is aimed at raising awareness of the need to take action to prevent violence against women and girls and to promote gender equality.
It marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which runs until December 10th – International Human Rights Day.
This year’s White Ribbon Day encourages men to hold themselves accountable to women and each other to promote positive behavioural change and transform harmful cultures.
Commissioner Allen has prioritised tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) since first being elected in 2021 and funds an array of VAWG/domestic abuse services and projects, collectively worth more than £1million.
She said: “I offer my full support to this campaign and will be joining activities to raise awareness of VAWG and the work we are leading on here in Durham to protect women and bring the perpetrators of these appalling crimes to justice.
“Although there is now wider acknowledgement of the fear of sexual violence that women ‘live’ with every day, we are still a long way from where we need to be. This ‘normalisation’ is the very reason why PCCs and forces are working so hard with their partners to fund projects that challenge the misogynist attitudes that underpin violence.
“VAWG is a priority for me, and I have worked hard to embed a prevention-first culture alongside partners through education and awareness that address the root causes of VAWG offending. This has included investment in bystander training, self-defence classes, perpetrator programmes and more recently stalking workshops in schools. We’ve also enhanced support for survivors, building self-esteem and confidence and improving mental health to prevent further victimisation.
“Operationally, we have ensured victims of VAWG have a stronger voice in the criminal justice system, funded specialist training for detectives investigating VAWG crimes, and developed more effective systems to identify and manage the risk posed by perpetrators. As a result, Durham has retained a consistently high charge rate for rape and sexual offences.
“Trust and confidence are paramount, and I am committed to pioneering further approaches that will reassure future victims that they will be believed and sensitively supported by coming forward to report these crimes. We must stand in solidarity to call out violence and abusive behaviour and demonstrate by action that it has no place in our society.”
The Commissioner has invested in a host of projects and services to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence and support victims thanks to funding she receives by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
This includes just over £91k to Changing Lives for outreach and support for victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking to help them recover from the trauma they have experienced and £24,751 to Halo to increase capacity and deliver local community outreach and in-reach support to connect with hidden victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence within ethnic minority communities.
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Notes to editors
Current VAWG/Domestic Abuse services funded by the PCC:
A new campaign is underway to ramp up efforts to prevent burglary and car crime over the winter months thanks to funding from PCC Joy Allen.
PCC Joy Allen has expressed her shock that young drivers can still purchase illegal and unroadworthy vehicles without compulsory checks.
PCC Joy Allen has provided funding for trauma cabinets in key locations across Durham City to help save lives in the event of an emergency.
