Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls: A Call for Evidence in Warwickshire

Task 

Following a comprehensive ‘Call for Evidence on VAWG’ conducted by the Home Office in 2020-21, in July 2021 the Central Government published a Tackling VAWG Strategy for England and Wales. This national strategy emphasised the need to identify the issue of VAWG in order to prevent such crimes, improve the experience of victims and survivors and ensure perpetrators are bought to justice.  

As a result of this, TONIC were commissioned by the Warwickshire VAWG Board to conduct a research project and consultation that would inform the new Warwickshire VAWG Strategy. TONIC aimed to engage with stakeholders and people with lived experience in order to understand the current structure of VAWG services in Warwickshire and inform the recommendations to be put forward to the commissioners. TONIC used the four ambitions of the national Tackling VAWG Strategy (prioritising prevention, supporting victims, pursuing perpetrators and stronger system) to inform the research process. 

Our Approach

TONIC used a multi-faceted approach when collecting the data for this project which included, a literature review, quantitative data analysis, surveys and in-depth interviews. Over 650 local members of the public, victims, survivors and professionals engaged with this project. The survey itself reached 622 people which included 184 survivors, 26 respondents on behalf of someone with lived experience, 51 members of the general public and 243 professional stakeholders. In depth interviews were conducted with 12 survivors, 16 professional stakeholders and 1 individual participating on behalf of 3 people with lived experience.  

Following the completion of this fieldwork, TONIC analysed the results using Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis. A number of key themes for each of the four ambitions were identified which were then used to inform the recommendations TONIC presented to the commissioners.  

Outcome

A comprehensive written report was produced by TONIC, detailing the key processes, findings and recommendations of the consultation. Some of the general recommendations made my TONIC were:  

  • Publish a summary of the Call for Evidence  

  • Consult with men and boys  

  • Improve data recording and reporting practises  

  • Increase safety in public spaces. 

All other findings and recommendations fell under one of the four ambitions of the national Tackling VAWG Strategy. These recommendations included but are not limited to: 

Prioritising Prevention  

  • Contribute to local education programmes 

  • Improve awareness raising campaigns  

  • Men and boys to be more proactively involved in conversations about VAWG 

  • Increase support for young victims  

Supporting Victims 

  • Tailor support to the individual 

  • Offer better support throughout the criminal justice system  

  • Provide holistic support  

  • Explore increasing refuge capacity  

Pursing Perpetrators 

  • Deliver training to professionals  

  • Encourage reporting to the police  

  • Consider developing a specialist VAWG police team  

  • Courts must not facilitate abuse continuation  

Stronger System  

  • Agree a clear definition of VAWG  

  • Avoid duplication or replication  

  • Involve those with lived experience  

  • Pool resources. 

Alongside the written report TONIC also presented these findings and recommendations to the commissioners.