Violence Against Women and Girls
Violence and abuse can happen to anyone but particular forms of violence and abuse are more prevalent among women and girls with often devastating consequences.
What is “Violence Against Women and Girls”?
Violence Against Women and Girls describes a range of behaviours/abuses that impact on women and girls.
The types of actions that cause harm, suffering and indignity to women and children include but are not limited to:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse, assault, rape and harassment
- cyberflashing
- psychological and emotional abuse
- financial and economic abuse
- abuse and violence occurring within the family or between people who are or have been in a relationship i.e. domestic abuse
- bullying and intimidation, anti-social behaviour because of being female in any public or private space, including work e.g. catcalling, wolf whistling, inappropriate or threatening comments
- commercial sexual exploitation, including trafficking
- child sexual abuse
- ‘honour based’ abuse
- female genital mutilation
- forced and child marriages
- spiking
- upskirting
Of course, we do not deny or minimise the known use of violence against men or within same sex relationships, but it's a fact that women and girls are a much larger group affected by particular forms of violence. Many men and boys are victims of violence and abuse - some experience the abuse described.
You said, we did
| What you said | What Doncaster Council and partner agencies are doing about it |
| The majority of the abuse is perpetrated by men
| This is acknowledged while still remembering that men can be victims and women can be perpetrators. The South Yorkshire Police No More campaign is unapologetic in clearly targeting ending male abuse against women. |
| Women generally feel unsafe in Doncaster with the Town Centre and parks being the areas of most concern but many other settings also identified. Women and girls felt more unsafe at night. Women want an increased police presence, better lighting and CCTV to help them feel safer | Work carried out to date includes using a combination of solar lighting with CCTV aimed at preventing abuse and reducing the fear for women and girls using parks and open spaces during the evening. |
| Domestic abuse accounted for the majority of physical and sexual abuse experienced by women completing the survey The majority of the physical abuse took place in the family home | There is a domestic abuse strategy, partnership and action plan in place and working well A sexual abuse strategy is currently being developed with partners |
| Women are more likely to tell a friend or family member about physical and sexual abuse than a professional
| Friends and family campaign for domestic abuse developed Domestic abuse - Are you worried about someone you know? - Doncaster Council Domestic Abuse Charter includes a requirement for organisations to have policies for supporting staff who are victims Sexual abuse and wider violence against women and girls bystander work is being developed |
Work is also being developed across the partnership to increase confidence in reporting, investigating crimes and the victims journey through the criminal justice system. Work is also taking place in schools around respect, healthy relationships, sexual abuse and harassment and reporting.
Where can I get help?
Domestic abuse:
The Doncaster Domestic Abuse Hub. Telephone 01302 737080 - Domestic Abuse - Doncaster Council, Domestic abuse survivor zone - Doncaster Council
National 24 hour Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247
Sexual abuse:
Sexual abuse - Doncaster Council
Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service - Welcome to Doncaster Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (drasacs.org.uk)
Hackenthorpe Lodge (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) - Hackenthorpe Lodge - Home
Support following other types of abuse:
Stalking and harassment: Stalking and Harassment - Doncaster Council
Anti-social behaviour in Doncaster - Antisocial Behaviour - Doncaster Council
Victim Support - Humberside and South Yorkshire - Victim Support
Mental Health Crisis team - 0800 804 8999
Samaritans - call free on116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Remember, always dial 999 in an emergency. You can also report domestic abuse to South Yorkshire Police via their online reporting form - Form (reportingcrime.uk). (Not to be used in an emergency)
Downloads & Resources
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