Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls Conference 2023 - the day in review

Today, some of our team attended the Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls Conference hosted by the Institute of Government & Public Policy , where our Media and Communications Manager, Roz Wyllie , joined a a panel to discuss the role of media in tackling violence against women and girls, amongst a range of other issues pertinent to the sector.

Here is our review of the day:

Good to hear commitments from National Police Chiefs' Council to working towards ending male violence against women and girls (MVAWG) in the police and detailed action plans with a focus on outcomes for victims and engaging with third sector organisations to ensure adequate support for all victims and survivors.

Sustainable funding that meets the needs of the women we support is a recurring issue. Jain Lemom, Head of Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls at Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) puts the onus on commissioners to horizon scan and look for ways of working together with the sector to support women as effectively as possible.

Great work by White Ribbon UK to engage boys in MVAWG prevention from an early age. Anthea Sully speaks about focus on primary prevention and a whole school approach, looking at positive images of masculinity & tackling attitudes that lead to violence before they start.

Women’s safety specialist Karen Whybro looks at reframing the conversation about MVAWG from women’s behaviour. Focus on ensuring a shared understanding of misogyny and sexism, building empathy by demonstrating the impact on victims, and explicitly inviting men to the conversation.

75% of young women and girls have experienced public sexual harassment. Excellent to hear today’s milestone from Isabel Ryall of Our Streets Now as it has been confirmed that the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment Bill will become law.

University of Brighton 's Christine Magill discusses the complexities of 'honour'-based abuse including the role of the media in sensationalising and stigmatising minoritised groups, lack of statistics, uncertainty of where it sits within MVAWG and barriers to support for victims.

Glitch ’s mission to end online abuse, particularly towards Black women, is vital. Julia Slupska : studies show misogyny across all social media platforms – over 1/5 posts that talk about women on the internet are highly toxic & particularly stark about Black women.

There was a thought-provoking panel discussion on the role of media. Solace's Roz Wyllie : we engage in ~9 hours of media a day - much of the representation of women reinforces the idea that we are ‘constantly in danger, that we’re prey, and that we’re just the beginning of a story about men’.

Representations of VAWG are often sensationalised and unhelpful. Our Solace test enourages people to question their use: is it needed? Is it truthful? Is it victim blaming? Find out more here: solacewomensaid.org/solace-test .

Anthea Sully cites the reporting of murder-suicides as a result of domestic abuse, where mainstream news often put Samaritans helpline but not domestic abuse helplines. So important to be alert to victim-blaming and passive framing that removes the perpetrator in the news.

Black women experience disproportionately negative portrayal & fetishisation in the media, coverage of crimes against them is less likely & adultification of Black girls is rife. This discrimination discourages Black women from reporting abuse & violence and must be challenged.

Thanks to Institute of Government & Public Policy for facilitating such an engaging discussion.

#igppVAWAG #EndVAWG