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Lincolnshire Police is making improvements to the way it and other agencies respond to the needs of women and girls experiencing violence in the county thanks to the activities of an independently chaired group called VAWG Voices.
Set up last year to discuss the issue of violence against women and girls in the county. VAWG Voices brings women together in a safe space to talk about their experience and provide support. In the past 18 months, it has given women the chance to influence how the force designs and delivers its service to the public as it seeks to become more inclusive as an employer.
VAWG lead for Lincolnshire Police, Detective Superintendent Suzanne Davies, held the first meeting online in February 2023 where women were encouraged to speak openly and have challenging, constructive and reflective conversations with police and other agencies. She applauded the courage of women who were prepared to share their experiences and thanked them for their honesty and challenge.
“The VAWG Voices group is a safe place to speak out, but it is so much more than that. It is a place for women to be heard by people who not only understand, but who can make real changes for other women.”
VAWG Voices member.
Some of the things VAWG Voices have been involved in so far include looking at what safe accommodation looks like in the county and visiting the County Court and suggesting changes to their dedicated victim/witness room to the delivery manager which will make the victim feel safer.
Members of group are now on the force’s stop and search and use of force scrutiny panels. They are also giving their views on digital forensics and how the police examine victims’ phones and retain data. They are also advising the force on its use of language in its communications and helping to raise awareness of the Pegasus system.
Pegasus is a secure PIN number database that immediately provides emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) with key details about the caller when that person is calling them on the phone or requesting help in person in emergency or non-emergency situations.
Sarah Munton is a member of the Independent Advisory group for Lincolnshire police with a portfolio area of VAWG and chairs the group. She said she was confident that the group would make great progress as it committed to influencing policy and procedure within the force by using the voice of experts and those with lived experience.
There is more information on VAWG Voices here or by emailing Courtney.miller@lincs.police.uk.
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