Jo Coles, the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire, and Crime for York and North Yorkshire, is convening a summit today to address the pressing issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the region.
The summit aims to bring together professionals from various sectors, including policing, criminal justice, and the voluntary and community sectors, to collaborate on improving support for victims and tackling the root causes of VAWG.
Jo Coles says there will be a range of organisations represented at today's event.
Key objectives for the summit include:
- Gaining a deeper understanding of the experiences of victims and survivors in York and North Yorkshire
- Developing a collaborative vision and strategy to address VAWG in the region
- Identifying opportunities for improved collaboration under a joint strategy to effectively deliver shared priorities and statutory duties related to serious violence, safeguarding, and domestic and sexual abuse
- Showcasing successful local projects and exploring best practices from other areas
The summit comes at a time when VAWG is being recognized as a national emergency, with offences in England and Wales having risen by 37% in the past five years.
Jo Coles has highlighted the severity of the problem in York and North Yorkshire:
The Deputy Mayor has stressed the need for a system-wide approach to address the issue, acknowledging that the problem is deeply embedded in societal attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls.
Jo Coles say she aims to create a supportive environment where women and girls feel empowered to seek help and understand that services are available to support them. It's hoped that the summit will serve as a platform to initiate a collaborative journey toward reducing VAWG and creating safer communities for everyone in the region.


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