PCC urges Norfolk residents to have their say on violence against women and girls
This Government Call for Evidence is now closed.
“There is, amongst the sadness and the anger, a sense of hope that this might be a turning point. A moment for generational change. A moment when people who can really make a difference are truly listening. For that reason, I’m calling on the people of Norfolk to take this opportunity to be heard - to share their views and experiences to help ensure women and girls are safe and can feel safe.”
As the Government’s call for evidence is reopened, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Lorne Green is urging Norfolk’s residents to share their views and experiences to help inform the nationwide strategy to tackling violence against women and girls.
Following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard in London, and the discussion that has followed, the Government has reopened its call for evidence to help inform the development of the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. The new deadline for responses to the consultation is 26 March 2021. In addition to those with lived experiences of violence against women and girls, the consultation is also seeking the views of those who work with victims and survivors, or who are involved in preventative activity.
PCC Lorne Green said: “Tackling crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls – such as domestic abuse, sexual violence and rape - has been a priority for police and partner agencies across our county during my term as PCC. We’ve come a long way, ensuring Norfolk has the right people, with the right skills and the right resources, in place to safeguard and support those affected and bring offenders to justice, but there is a great deal more that can be done.
“I fund a number of fantastic organisations across Norfolk whose committed teams of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to support women, and men, who have experienced abuse and violence at the hands of others. The emotional and practical support they provide to victims and survivors is invaluable and, having had the honour to work alongside them over the last 5 years, I am in awe of what they do.
“But while it’s absolutely vital this help and support is available, in an ideal world we wouldn’t be getting to the point of needing to rehabilitate people from these traumas and rebuild broken lives.
“There needs to be more focus on stopping these awful things from happening in the first place. Key to being able to prevent them is to first properly understand what these issues look like on the ground and, importantly, how they feel to and impact on those affected. Outside of this call for evidence, that’s a conversation that my office will continue to have with our community advisory panels and local victim support experts.
“Yes, Norfolk is a safe place to live and to work and, thankfully, many of our residents will live their lives untouched by these types of crime. But there will be women and girls in our communities listening to this national debate with views and experiences of their own. There will also be men and boys who have their own insights to share in the hope of helping to build a better, safer future for their daughters, partners, sisters or mums.
“I can’t imagine the pain felt by the family and friends of Sarah Everard, and my heart and thoughts go out to them. There is, amongst the sadness and the anger, a sense of hope that this might be a turning point. A moment for generational change. A moment when people who can really make a difference are truly listening.
“For that reason, I’m calling on the people of Norfolk to take this opportunity to be heard - to share their views and experiences through this call for evidence to help ensure women and girls are safe and can feel safe.
“I’d also like to take the opportunity to urge anyone who is or has been affected by abuse or violence to reach out for help. Norfolk Police is there to help, as are a whole range of local support services.”
How to take part in the Government’s call for evidence
You can participate in the call for evidence by completing the public survey which can be found at www.gov.uk by 26 March 2021.
Violence against Women and Girls Call for Evidence
How to get help
The police will always respond to emergency calls if you are in immediate danger and there are many local charities and organisations working to help you be and feel safe.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Police 101 is the non-emergency number.
Silent Solution:
The Silent Solution system helps filter out accidental or hoax 999 calls from those who need genuine police assistance.
If you are calling from a mobile phone and speaking or making an immediate sound would put you in danger and you need immediate help, call 999 and stay on the line, then press 55 when prompted and the call will be transferred to the police, who will know it is an emergency call.
If you are calling from a landline, Silent Solution does not apply as it is less likely to call 999 by accident. If an emergency call is made and no one speaks and only background noise is heard and an operator does not know whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler.
Information about where you are calling from on a landline will be automatically available to call handlers to help provide a police response.
OPCCN commissioned services:
The PCC’s office commissions a number of local services to support victims of crime in Norfolk, including specialist services for those affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. Victims do not need to report what they have experienced to the police in order to access help, but these services can support individuals to make a police report should they wish to.
Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care: emotional and practical support for all victims of crime (Norfolk and Suffolk)
Telephone: 0300 303 3706 Email: nsvictimcare@victimsupport.org.uk Website: www.nsvictimcare.org/contact-us
Out of hours support is available via Victim Support on: 0808 16 89 111
Live chat available 24/7 at www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat
Leeway: Domestic abuse support (Norfolk)
Telephone: 0300 561 0077 Email: referrals@leewaynwa.org.uk Website: www.leewaysupport.org
Daisy Programme:Domestic abuse and sexual abuse/violence support (Breckland)
Telephone: 01953 880903 Email: help@daisyprogramme.org.uk Website: www.daisyprogramme.org.uk
Pandora: Domestic abuse support (West and North Norfolk)
Website: www.pandoraproject.org.uk - Live web chat available Mon-Fri 1-3pm
Sue Lambert Trust: Sexual abuse support (Norfolk)
Telephone: 01603 622406 Email: info@suelamberttrust.org Website: www.suelamberttrust.org
Spurgeons (Norwich Connect): Domestic abuse support (Norwich)
Telephone: 01603 628122 Email: norwichconnect@spurgeons.org Website: www.spurgeons.org/norwichconnect/
Other useful links and contact numbers (please check websites for current updates):
The Haven Project (South Norfolk)
Email: havenproject@orwell-housing.co.uk South Norfolk
South Norfolk Early Help Hub
Complete an online request form: www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/residents/south-norfolk-help-hub
SARC – Sexual Assault Referral Centre – The Harbour Centre:
Telephone: 01603 276381 (24/7) Email: contact@theharbourcentre.co.uk Website: www.theharbourcentre.co.uk
Norfolk Community Law Service:
Telephone: 01603 496623 Email: info@ncls.co.uk Website: www.ncls.co.uk
4 Women’s Centre:
Telephone: 0300 131 7983 Email: 4womenreception@homegroup.org.uk Website: www.homegroup.org.uk/4women
Norfolk and Suffolk Wellbeing Service:
Telephone: 0300 123 1503 Website: www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/norfolk/
Access support through your GP or any other health or social care professional, or you can self-refer using the form.
National helplines:
Women’s Aid:
24hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Website: www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support
Refuge:
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Website: www.refuge.org.uk
GALOP (LBGT+ Anti violence charity):
Telephone: 0800 999 5428 Website: www.galop.org.uk
Mankind Initiative (male victims):
Telephone: 01823 334244 Website: www.mankind.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line (male victims):
Telephone: 0808 801 0327 Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Respect (working with abusers to change their behaviour and male victims of domestic abuse):
Telephone: 020 3559 6650 Website: respect.uk.net