NCJ Number
237683
Date Published
2011
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This presentation of the United Kingdom's strategy for countering violence against women and girls emphasizes prevention, adequate resources for effective interventions when violence does occur, the development of partnerships for victim services, and actions that reduce the risk for further harm to victims by ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Abstract
Regarding prevention, the strategy envisions that by 2015, national and local efforts will have increased the public's awareness of violence against women and girls, with a focus on attitudes and behaviors that are wrong because they underlie the fear and anxiety of women and girls regarding their safety and risk of harm. Individuals who hold such attitudes and engage in such threatening behaviors will be targets of preventive interventions. The strategy also envisions that by 2015, a structure will be in place for adequately funded services to women and girls who are victims of violence. These efforts will include training and funding for multi-agency work and the strengthening of legal provisions for the management of perpetrators. In addition, the strategy envisions that by 2015, local areas and organizations will have access to the tools and information they need to have a strong voice with police and crime commissioners, new national commissioning structures and public health services, as well as service commissioners. Relevant information will be provided to local decisionmakers to help them understand the scope and scale of violence against women and girls in their local jurisdictions. Regarding risk reduction and justice outcomes, the strategy envisions that by 2015, more offenders will be brought to justice for crimes against women and girls, based on a better understanding of and rigorous application of legislative powers and reform. Action details and case examples are provided for each goal.