Agenda item

Report from the Commissioner regarding progress against the strategy for Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls and an update on the Victims’ Centre in York.

Considered –

The report of the Commissioner updating on progress against the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy and on the development of the new Victims’ Centre.

The Commissioner outlined some of the progress underway against the key objectives of the strategy’s Delivery Plan – as detailed in the report provided - and highlighted that a detailed action tracker underpins the objectives.  Progress will be monitored by the VAWG Strategic Governance Board. 

The Commissioner has also purchased a commercial property on the outskirts of York with the intention of developing a new Victims’ Centre to house North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Child Sexual Assault Assessment Services alongside a Video-Recorded Interview suite for victims. 

Members asked how the Commissioner has ensured that third sector bodies have sufficient capacity and funding to be able to meet the likely increase in demand for services flowing from the work in the Delivery Plan.  The Commissioner acknowledged these concerns and that she will give consideration to this, along with offering to meet with any third sector agencies seeking a further conversation.

In relation to strategic objective 1 of the Delivery Plan regarding listening to women and girls from under-represented communities, the Commissioner was asked what steps are being taken to ensure third sector organisations that are supporting victims and survivors have access to funded interpretation services, as well as affordable and accessible office space in York.  In response, it was highlighted that work is underway to establish a sub-group of the Board consisting of support services who work with victims and survivors, to ensure valuable feedback is obtained from the third sector.  It was acknowledged that access to interpretation services is a significant factor in this objective and the Commissioner’s office is currently reviewing options in relation to funding and provision to support all victims of crime. 

Reference was made by the Panel to the low number of detectives nationally and locally and the fact that this year has seen the highest number of sexual offences reported.  The Commissioner was asked how confident she is that there are sufficient trained detectives to deal with this increase in reporting.  In response, Supt Scott spoke to a resilience action plan, which is focussing on bringing in more detectives and upskilling those currently in the service.

The Commissioner was also asked about the separate references in the report to the police explaining and offering special measures and also victims and survivors feeling under pressure to withdraw complaints where it’s felt there is unlikely to be a successful conviction.  The concern centred around management of expectations for victims and survivors as it was understood that it is the court that decides on special measures, not the police, and that similarly the decision to prosecute rests with the CPS.  The Commissioner agreed to obtain further clarity on these points.

Members conveyed the importance of the strategy focussing on early education of both boys and girls around consent.  They also considered further detail on the additional complementary services that the new Victims’ Centre intends to offer, such as a quiet room facility.

Resolved –

That the Panel:

(a)   Notes the report provided;

(b)   Receives further detail prior to the next Panel meeting to clarify on the police role in explaining and offering special measures to victims and survivors; and

(c)   Receives a further annual update on progress against the Delivery Plan in 2023.