Staffordshire Police intensify efforts to tackle violence and intimidation against women and girls

As part of our commitment to tackle violence, abuse and intimidation of women and girls (VAIWG) we arrested 61 individuals during a week-long intensification period.

The co-ordinated activity, which took place between 18-24 September, resulted in 12 of those arrested being charged, with others released on bail or under investigation as enquiries continue.

Over 45 victims of domestic abuse were contacted by specialist officers, who work with partner agencies, to offer advice and support in order to safeguard them and put plans in place to reduce the risk of harm.

In addition, officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) visited 23 schools, colleges and university campuses across the county to share personal and online safety advice.

They also held engagement events at a number of local supermarkets, hotels, licenced premises and entertainment venues under Operation Makesafe, which saw local officers train employees to identify any vulnerable person who may be at risk of child exploitation at their premises.

Two Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) were issued, which provide protection to victims by enabling the police and magistrates’ courts to put in place protective measures in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident.

The intensification week was also used to raise awareness of various topics linked to VAIWG on our digital and social channels.

We repeated our ‘Don’t choose to abuse’ campaign the week before (11-17 September), which is aimed at the perpetrators of Domestic Abuse. We then promoted the events as well as night time economy advice messages during the intensification week. The final week (25 September – 1 October) focused on the support we provide to victims of rape and serious sexual offences. We made it clear in all of communications that we will hold perpetrators of VAIWG accountable for their behaviour and that we are striving to ensure women and girls feel safe and are confident in reporting to the police

A total of 39 posts went out on Facebook and Twitter during the campaign. These posts reached just under one million users, they gained 2,910 likes, 330 comments, 6,096 shares/retweets and 3,329 click throughs to the website.

These are positive operational and communications results and work on this topic will continue, especially in the run up to the festive period.