To receive Motions on Notice under Council Procedure Rule 12.

Proposed by Councillor Claire Arnold 

Seconded by Councillor Ros Jackson 

Violence against women and girls

Violence against women and girls is a serious problem that isn't improving quickly enough. 

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in England and Wales during the 2021/22 period: 

1.    6.9% of women aged over 16 were victims of domestic abuse. 

2.    3.3% of women aged over 16 were victims of sexual assault.

3.    4.9% of women aged over 16 were victims of stalking.

4.    There were 2887 cases of honour-based abuse recorded by police.

5.    24.8% of women had experienced abuse before the age of 16. 

East Lindsey District Council must seriously consider and play its part by working together, informing others, and encouraging people to reduce the rates of these horrific crimes. 

Therefore, we propose, that by resolution that East Lindsey District Council will: 

1.    Encourage all Councillors to take the White Ribbon Pledge, never to take part in, condone, or stay silent about violence against women.

2.    Undertake the steps to achieve White Ribbon Accreditation, joining many councils and public sector bodies that have already done so.  

3.    Train frontline staff to recognise the signs of Violence Against Women and Girls. 

4.    Act to reduce harms.  

5.    Communicate with the public to raise awareness of the signs of Violence Against Women and Girls and coercive control. 

6.    Appoint a male Councillor as an Ambassador and a female Councillor as a Champion

7.    Mark White Ribbon Day on 25th November each year with a fundraising / awareness event. 

The following Motion was received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12:

Violence against women and girls

‘Violence against women and girls is a serious problem that isn't improving quickly enough. 

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in England and Wales during the 2021/22 period: 

1. 6.9% of women aged over 16 were victims of domestic abuse. 
2. 3.3% of women aged over 16 were victims of sexual assault.
3. 4.9% of women aged over 16 were victims of stalking.
4. There were 2887 cases of honour-based abuse recorded by police.
5. 24.8% of women had experienced abuse before the age of 16. 

East Lindsey District Council must seriously consider and play its part by working together, informing others, and encouraging people to reduce the rates of these horrific crimes. 

Therefore, we propose, that by resolution that East Lindsey District Council will: 

1. Encourage all Councillors to take the White Ribbon Pledge, never to take part in, condone, or stay silent about violence against women.
2. Undertake the steps to achieve White Ribbon Accreditation, joining many councils and public sector bodies that have already done so.  
3. Train frontline staff to recognise the signs of Violence Against Women and Girls. 
4. Act to reduce harms.  
5. Communicate with the public to raise awareness of the signs of Violence Against Women and Girls and coercive control. 
6. Appoint a male Councillor as an Ambassador and a female Councillor as a Champion
7. Mark White Ribbon Day on 25th November each year with a fundraising / awareness event’.

Proposer: Councillor Claire Arnold

Seconder: Councillor Ros Jackson

In her introduction, Councillor Arnold added that she would like to see all Councillors stand together and work collaboratively to raise awareness about men’s violence against women and girls and together this could change harmful and negative cultures and to take an organisational wide approach to promote a safe and positive work culture and a healthy place to be.  By becoming accredited, a strategic plan could be created for all levels of the Council structure where it could empower each and every one to speak out and stop violence against women.

Councillor Jackson added that many staff across Lincolnshire had already highlighted violence against women and girls and this had also been included in Lincolnshire Police’s Campaign ‘You’re right, that’s wrong’.  Unlike a normal motion, it was not possible to illustrate with a specific example but it was stressed that this was happening in Members’ wards and had devastating impacts.  Behind the statistics, lives were ruined, women and families were uprooted and health damaged and this also resulted in additional costs including safeguarding, rehoming victims, Wellbeing Service, police, NHS and other services.  In conclusion, Councillor Jackson urged Members to support the Motion.

The Deputy Leader of the Council agreed with the comments made and added that the more people were prepared to stand and say it was not acceptable, the better chance there was of stamping it out and considered it an excellent Motion to support.

The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy concurred with the comments made and emphasised that the damage caused went far deeper and often resulted in women entering abusive relationships due to learned behaviour.  He considered it to be a fantastic Motion and was happy to support it.

A Member stated that he was in full support of the Motion and had been looking at some data in relation to violence against women, girls and men.  However, it was highlighted that although the Motion covered a core issue, there were bigger challenges in every community, with some of them being brought on by mental health issues and cost of living pressures.  Therefore, it was important for the Council to support his Motion to make East Lindsey one of the best and safest places to live.

A Member concurred with the reference to abuse against men and wholeheartedly agreed that both a home and workplace should be a safe area and was happy to support the Motion.

A Member stated that he fully supported the Motion and added that this type of abuse was often unrecognisable and those involved were ordinary and unsuspecting individuals.  It was further highlighted that there was also a lot of mental abuse involved.  It was queried whether Councillors could be offered training in these matters so that people could be signposted to the right individuals/organisations for help.

In response to the Motion, the Leader of the Council stated that he was very happy to support the Motion and highlighted the work of Lincolnshire County Council who raised awareness of violence against men.

A Member stated that he was fully supportive of the Motion and asked for further information on the White Ribbon pledge to provide a better understanding to ensure the Council was doing the best and going as far as it could, versus other initiatives in this respect.  In response, Councillor Arnold advised that this had been highlighted to her by some other Councils who had signed up to this.

A Member concurred that many men were also subject to abuse and highlighted that at a refuge in Louth, Members had been helping men as well as women, with men often very reluctant to seek help and support.

In conclusion, Councillor Arnold thanked Members for their positive and supportive comments and hoped that by the Council supporting the Motion, part of the pledge was to encourage the conversation and this would help people to come forward and read out her own pledge as ‘I promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women and girls’.

Members were referred to the White Ribbon Accreditation Programme that ensured organisations took a strategic approach to ending men’s violence against women.  Details can be viewed by clicking on the link White Ribbon UK

Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was carried,

RESOLVED

That the Motion be supported.

N.B.  Councillor Carl Macey left the Meeting at 6.29pm.