Agenda item

1.    The Commissioner introduced the report which detailed national and local VAWG developments. The Panel were reminded that Government ran a 10-week public consultation on the issue to inform a new national strategy, which closed on 26 March 2021. The new national strategy was published on 21 July and made multiple policy commitments. He confirmed that he had launched his own local inquiry on 4 August, in order to better understand the extent of VAWG in Kent; required prevention and necessary police response. The local survey ran for 2 months, and the Commissioner attested that it had succeeded in engaging women in Kent widely, with 8,200 responses. He noted that a quantitative and qualitative analysis of survey responses was being carried out. General findings were shared and included widespread night-time safety concerns. The Commissioner reassured Members that further information would be published in 2022. In relation to the victim workshops mentioned in the report, the Commissioner confirmed that he had attended three and sought to continue public engagement. He concluded by informing Members that VAWG had been discussed at the Kent Criminal Justice Board.

2.    Members asked a range of questions in relation to the Violence Against Women and Girls Inquiry. Key issues raised by the Panel and responded to by the Commissioner included the following:

a.    A Member asked how the Commissioner held the Chief Constable to account on the work done to safeguard areas with high amounts of nightlife. The Commissioner confirmed that he had encouraged the Chief Constable to pursue a perpetrator focused response and that there had been an increase in visible and non-uniform patrols in Canterbury and other areas with significant night life as a result.

b.    Members commended the Commissioner on his inclusion of qualitative research methods in the VAWG call for evidence survey.

c.    Concerns were raised by a Member on the organisation of women’s community outreach events organised by Kent Police. The Commissioner recognised that some events had been organised poorly and with little notice and agreed to ensure that the Chief Constable delivered accessible events in the future.

d.    A Member asked that online abuse and interactions be taken into account in future policies. The Commissioner recognised the importance of addressing online abuse and hoped that the upcoming Online Safety Bill would help to counter the issue.

e.    A Member highlighted the importance of tackling concerning male behaviour in schools and asked that the Commissioner work with other local partners on the issue. The Commissioner recognised the key role officers within the Schools Team played in tackling the issue, highlighted workshops and their role in antibullying week.

f.     A Member asked that the Commissioner share future public surveys with local councillors in order that they can be disseminated further and shared with community groups. The Commissioner agreed to share future surveys with councillors at their request.

g.    In relation to community outreach, a Member asked if any work had been planned to engage minority communities on VAWG. The Commissioner confirmed that there was no specific programme planned, though agreed to discuss the topic with the Member outside of the meeting.

h.    Following a question from a Member on police officer vetting and training, the Commissioner reassured the Panel that home visits were carried out and that all new officers underwent a comprehensive education and training programme.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.