349 Incidents Linked to VAWG Reported During Week of Action
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349 incidents linked to violence against women and girls (VAWG) were reported to police during a dedicated week of action.
Throughout the VAWG Week of Action, which ran from Thursday 30th March to Thursday 6th April, 349 incidents were reported linked to VAWG, including violence and sexual offences such as rape. 83 arrests have been made in connection with these crimes so far, with investigations ongoing into a number of the remaining incidents.
First introduced in July 2021, the VAWG strategy suggests that, sadly, some forms of violence against women and girls are so commonplace that many women and girls do not report incidents to the police. This is the case for incidents such as being grabbed, touched or threatened by strangers.
Superintendent Helen Barker said: “Our aim during VAWG Week of Action was firstly to send a message to women and girls that as a Force we won’t stand for any form of misogyny or violence against females, and also to show those suffering that we take a robust approach to stop such abuse and relentlessly pursue perpetrators.
“Abuse takes many forms and it is hoped that our actions highlight this so that anyone who has suffered abuse can come forward and report it to us so that we can help stop it and keep people safe.
“We also take action against offenders so that we can safeguard and help keep people safe but also ensure that those who think this kind of behaviour is acceptable can see that it won’t be tolerated and they will be brought to justice.
“We want to continue to work with all of our communities so that as a society we are clear this behaviour is unacceptable, in all its forms. I have been particularly impressed by the willingness of our young people to come forward and tell us their experiences with a view that we can work together to change behaviour.”
Activity throughout the week included arrests and charges of suspects linked to offences including assault, breach of non-molestation orders, harassment and domestic abuse; high visibility patrols within the night time economy and liaison with licensed premises including raising awareness of the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme and providing drink covers as part of our anti-spiking work, engagement with local education providers such as colleges, awareness raising in local shopping centres in conjunction with support agencies and crime prevention awareness.
A list of support agencies available to victims of abuse is available on the Cleveland Police website here: https://www.cleveland.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/support-organisations/
