The People Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee of Havering Council met on Thursday 3 April 2025 to scrutinise the upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy. The committee reviewed the strategy, discussed its implications, and made recommendations to the Cabinet.

Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy - Pre-Decision Scrutiny

The Sub-Committee conducted a pre-decision scrutiny of the Havering Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2025-2029. This strategy, aligned with the Mayor of London's Building a Safer London plan and the national VAWG Strategy, aims to reduce and prevent violence against women and girls in Havering. It focuses on four key priorities: reducing and preventing violence, increasing trust and confidence, better supporting victims, and protecting people from exploitation and harm.

Officers explained that VAWG accounts for a significant socio-economic cost to community safety partnership services in Havering, with domestic violence constituting a third of all reported physical violence. The strategy outlines Havering's approach through four strands: Prevention, Provision, Protection, and Partnership, incorporating initiatives, campaigns, support services, and enforcement actions.

Members of the Sub-Committee raised several points during the discussion. They noted that the perpetrator programme primarily targets male perpetrators, but male victims of domestic abuse have access to the DRIVE programme. Concerns were raised about the national increase in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), with officers confirming that health professionals have a duty to report such instances and that Havering has had only one conviction for FGM.

The Sub-Committee also discussed the increasing prevalence of VAWG in the borough's nightlife. They were informed about the 'Ask Angela' scheme, a national initiative allowing victims to discreetly seek help, and the presence of trained night marshals in Havering. Officers highlighted the need for regular training for those working in the night-time economy due to the influx of young people. Members acknowledged the impact of social media in increasing stalking and VAWG, and the normalisation of domestic abuse within relationships.

Concerns were also raised about domestic abuse escalating during pregnancy. Officers reassured the committee that midwives conduct private conversations with pregnant women and new mothers to identify risks and refer them to support services.

The Sub-Committee noted that GDPR laws have made data sharing between the Police and the Council more difficult, although data is heavily anonymised. Regular meetings occur at tri-Borough VAWG meetings to address these challenges.

Following the discussion, the Sub-Committee made two recommendations to the Cabinet:

1. Recognise that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) training is essential for all members and agree to include it in new member induction training.
2. Agree to include WAVE training as part of the Licensing Chair's training.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 11th February 2025 were approved and signed by the Chairman. Apologies were received for the absence of Councillor Robby Misir and Co-opted Members Julie Lamb and Ian Rusha. There were no disclosures of interests.

The Sub-Committee noted the Havering Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report, the Children's Social Care Improvement Plan, and the Havering Youth Wellbeing Census from previous meetings.

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