Suffolk Unites Against Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence with New Shared Strategy

Strategic Insights -

Suffolk County Council and UK Government agencies have launched a joint strategy to tackle Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, aiming to make Suffolk a safer place for everyone. Despite being a safe county, these crimes continue to affect numerous individuals, often driven by harmful attitudes and gender-based stereotypes. The new strategy, shaped by extensive engagement with victims, support services, and professionals, sets a clear vision to prevent and identify Violence Against Women and Girls, creating a safe environment for all. The four key ambitions are to stop abuse before it starts, support every survivor, hold abusers accountable, and build a united front.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy places the experiences of victims and survivors at its heart, shaped through extensive engagement with victim-survivors, support services, and frontline professionals.
  • The strategy sets a clear and ambitious vision: For everyone in Suffolk to play their part in preventing and identifying Violence Against Women and Girls, creating the safety we all deserve.
  • The four key ambitions of the strategy are: Stop the abuse before it starts, Support every survivor, Hold abusers accountable, and Build a united front.
  • Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Chair of the Suffolk Safer and Stronger Communities Board, emphasized that tackling Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence requires a joined-up approach, with action across all parts of the community.
  • A wide range of local, specialist support services is available for individuals experiencing or concerned about Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence.
  • The Suffolk Safer and Stronger Communities Board formally endorsed the strategy in March 2025, marking an important milestone in the county's coordinated response to Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence.

Statistics:

  • No specific statistics are mentioned in the article regarding the prevalence or impact of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in Suffolk.

Sources:

  • Suffolk County Council and UK Government news release
  • Suffolk Constabulary, Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
  • Suffolk.gov.uk, Suffolk VAWG Strategy 2025-28.pdf