Agenda item
Notice of Motion - Violence Against Women and Girls
The following Motion has been received in the names of Councillors Rosa Bolger and Merilyn Davies, namely:
“This Council Notes:
Across the UK harassment and violence towards women and girls is endemic. Women and girls suffer harassment and abuse every single day. A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces. Oxfordshire is no exception. In the Thames Valley last year there we almost 20,000 reported cases of stalking and harassment and over 5,000 cases of sexual assault - these are just the ones that were reported.
In the year to March 2020, just 1.4% of rape cases recorded by police resulted in a suspect being charged (or receiving a summons).
Studies have shown that the intersectional nature of discrimination means that women with additional protected characteristics, such as those who are from Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority com-munities, disabled or LGBT+, are even more likely to experience harassment, discrimination and abuse.
The Council Resolves:
§ To ensure that West Oxfordshire District Council does everything in its power to build a District free from harassment violence against women and girls;
§ To request the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel - of which WODC is Chair - requires the PCC to report on the performance of Thames Valley Police on tackling street violence against women and what their strategy is moving forward as well as the allocation of resources to support this;
§ To recognise that as multiple agencies such as Health, the Police, Fire, and OCC already attend the WODC Community Safety Partnership - and as these agencies will all be crucial in our fight to make our streets safe for women and girls - it is suggested a working group be formed to produce and implement a Rural VAWG Strategy, under the umbrella of the CSP with other relevant parties invited where appropriate; and
§ To recognise and promote that this is not a ‘Women’s issues’, men can play a crucial part in culture change in West Oxfordshire.”
Minutes:
The following Motion was provided to Council in the names of Councillors Rosa Bolger and Merilyn Davies, namely:-
“This Council Notes:
Across the UK harassment and violence towards women and girls is endemic. Women and girls suffer harassment and abuse every single day. A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces. Oxfordshire is no exception. In the Thames Valley last year there we almost 20,000 reported cases of stalking and harassment and over 5,000 cases of sexual assault - these are just the ones that were reported.
In the year to March 2020, just 1.4% of rape cases recorded by police resulted in a suspect being charged (or receiving a summons).
Studies have shown that the intersectional nature of discrimination means that women with additional protected characteristics, such as those who are from Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority com-munities, disabled or LGBT+, are even more likely to experience harassment, discrimination and abuse.
The Council Resolves:
§ To ensure that West Oxfordshire District Council does everything in its power to build a District free from harassment violence against women and girls;
§ To request the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel - of which WODC is Chair - requires the PCC to report on the performance of Thames Valley Police on tackling street violence against women and what their strategy is moving forward as well as the allocation of resources to support this;
§ To recognise that as multiple agencies such as Health, the Police, Fire, and OCC already attend the WODC Community Safety Partnership - and as these agencies will all be crucial in our fight to make our streets safe for women and girls - it is suggested a working group be formed to produce and implement a Rural VAWG Strategy, under the umbrella of the CSP with other relevant parties invited where appropriate; and
§ To recognise and promote that this is not a ‘Women’s issues’, men can play a crucial part in culture change in West Oxfordshire.”
Councillor Bolger introduced the motion and, following an impassioned speech, highlighted that 80 women had been murdered since the murder of Sarah Everard. Through the use of Councillor and officer participation, Councillor Bolger demonstrated that this was five times the number of women present in the Council chamber that day. She hoped that this motion would show recognition of the culture change that was so desperately needed and stated that she had worked closely with Councillor Davies to present this to Council. Finally, Councillor Bolger asked that her colleagues join with her and vote for the protection and safety of women and girls, despite any political persuasion.
In seconding the motion, Councillor Davies expressed her enjoyment of working with Councillor Bolger on this and reiterated that this was not a political issue. As the Council’s representative on the Community Safety Partnership, she assured Members that this was an excellent platform to work with Health, Police and the County Council and enabled the Committee to hold the Police to account by challenging and engaging with them.
Councillor Graham thanked the proposer and seconder and added his support to the motion. He appreciated the inclusivity of the motion, agreed that there was something fundamentally wrong with this culture and felt that men needed to take more responsibility.
Councillor MacRae supported the motion and drew on his experience as a magistrate, a father and husband.
Councillor Coles addressed the meeting and advised that as a proud gay man he too had experienced some of the negativity that this form of culture encouraged. He acknowledged the difficulties and fear encountered by women as a result of men’s behaviour and reiterated that no woman should have to deal with this.
Councillor Chapple fully supported the motion and, having queried the timescales for discussion at external meetings, was advised that the item was on the agenda for the next CPE and Police and Crime Commissioner meetings.
Councillors Poskitt, Coul, Doughty and Carter expressed their support for the motion and thanked their colleagues for highlighting this important and emotive issue. Councillor Carter reminded Members of the amount of work put in to highlighting the issue of domestic violence over the years and welcomed the changes made so far. However, she reminded the meeting that there was still a lot to do. Councillor Carter expressed her gratitude to all officers and Members for their dedication to dealing with domestic violence casework, which could often be draining and depressing. In addition, she hoped that the inclusivity being brought through would encourage more women to stand for election.
Councillor Postan agreed with the comments made and felt that there needed to be a change of attitude at school age, where boys should learn to respect women.
To conclude, Councillor Bolger thanked everyone for their comments and support and reminded the meeting that everyone needed to be better with their attitude towards women and girls.
The Council therefore unanimously
Resolved
1) To ensure that West Oxfordshire District Council does everything in its power to build a District free from harassment violence against women and girls;
2) To request the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel - of which WODC is Chair - requires the PCC to report on the performance of Thames Valley Police on tackling street violence against women and what their strategy is moving forward as well as the allocation of resources to support this;
3) To recognise that as multiple agencies such as Health, the Police, Fire, and OCC already attend the WODC Community Safety Partnership - and as these agencies will all be crucial in our fight to make our streets safe for women and girls - it is suggested a working group be formed to produce and implement a Rural VAWG Strategy, under the umbrella of the CSP with other relevant parties invited where appropriate; and
4) To recognise and promote that this is not a ‘Women’s issues’, men can play a crucial part in culture change in West Oxfordshire.”