At the council's first cabinet meeting on Thursday 27 June, councillors will be looking at a new strategic direction for preventing and tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence in Brighton & Hove.
If agreed, a programme of work will inform a new strategy focused on preventing and tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
It will also support our ambition of making Brighton & Hove a fair and inclusive city where people feel safe and welcome as set out in the Council Plan.
Consultations were held with the public and key stakeholders on the topic of preventing and tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
We received over 230 responses to a public survey on a draft strategy, including survivors of violence against women and girls, voluntary and third sector organisations and public sector organisations.
The consultation findings confirmed that participants agreed with 4 priorities:
The direction and consultation findings will inform a new ‘Preventing and tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy for 2024 to 2028’.
This strategy will ensure that everyone across all council services understands the role they play in tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence, including commitments and actions for the council and partner organisations.
The strategy will be brought to cabinet for approval later this year and will align with the Council Plan and the aims of the Brighton & Hove Community Safety Strategy 2023-2026.
There were 5,487 domestic violence incidents and crimes recorded in the city by the police in 2021/22, of which 3,299 were crimes.
In the same period, police recorded 1,239 sexual offences in Brighton & Hove, of which 1,077 were serious sexual offences including 397 rape offences; while 463 incidents of stalking were recorded by the police.
The majority of victims were women and girls. However, the council acknowledges that anyone can be affected by violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Our strategic direction includes support for everyone affected by this issue, regardless of age, gender, race, disability, or sex.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 sets out measures to prevent domestic abuse and protect all victims. This legislation requires local authorities to report annually to the government on its work in this area.
A new strategy for preventing and tackling violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence in Brighton & Hove will help us achieve this.