Ensuring Canterbury is a safe place for people to live, work and visit
Canterbury Community Safety Partnership
Many of the types of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) cut across all social and demographic boundaries and the impact is often harmful.
In August 2022, following a successful bid to the Home Office, a Safer Streets funding grant of £686,420.69 was awarded to Canterbury partners for 2022/24 to make the streets of its city safer for all members of the public and in particular for women and girls. This will look to reduce VAWG offences both in the daytime and night-time economy.
VAWG
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
It is important to note that ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’ is an umbrella term which encompasses acts of violence or abuse that we know disproportionately, but not exclusively, affect women and girls. Many groups can be affected by these crimes, including men and boys, those who identify as LGBTQ+, BAME, disabled people and others with additional needs. Crimes and behaviours covered by the term VAWG can include sexual offences, domestic abuse, stalking, ‘honour’-based abuse, up-skirting, genital mutilation, forced marriage as well as many others. They can have a profound and long lasting impact on victims and have absolutely no place in our society.
Canterbury Community Safety Partnership and the Office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner (KPCC) have been working with a wide variety of partners to deliver a range of projects to reduce VAWG offences both in the daytime and night-time economy. The purpose is to implement both physical and community-based interventions.
Here is what is being delivered through the project:
SAFE NIGHT OUT
CCTV
SAFE HAVENS
BEST BAR NONE
STREET PASTORS
ZERO TOLERANCE
POLICE OPERATIONS
VAWG TRAINING
Funding
The fourth round of Safer Streets funding will combine and expand on previous Safer Streets Projects. It will target neighbourhood crime, VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) and ASB (anti-social behaviour).
Canterbury Community Safety Partnership (CCSP) and the Office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner decided what sort of issue to focus on, based on local need.
Tackling neighbourhood crime is core to the Safer Streets Fund, as we know these crimes occur in high volumes and can be extremely intrusive and upsetting to victims. In addition, there is compelling evidence they can be prevented through simple, sustainable interventions.
