Greater Manchester’s progress in delivering its Gender-Based Violence Strategy has been examined in a report published this week
The region has secured £5million of funding which has been used to support services and partners across Greater Manchester, including providing Independent Domestic Violence Advisors who support people experiencing crisis, alongside supporting the provision of perpetrator programmes to reduce future incidences of domestic abuse.
The Lotus Hub, which helps women impacted by the rules surrounding no recourse to public funds, who are some of the most vulnerable women in Greater Manchester.
in public engagement, extending the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s #IsThisOK? Campaign, which has since reached over 4.1 million social media views and has been shown to have impacted on raising men and boys’ awareness of gender-based violence and how to help stop inappropriate behaviour.
Whilst the creation of a Lived Experience Panel, comprised of women with diverse experiences of gender-based violence who have committed to using their voice to help shape Greater Manchester’s response to the issue.
One area highlighted is the domestic abuse crisis workers, piloted in Salford and Bolton.
The pilot saw a domestic abuse worker join visits from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to reports of domestic abuse.
The programme prioritises prevention, the protection of women, and the need to deliver effectively in an area that has constrained funding.
By using volunteers, the programme delivered value for money, enriched volunteering opportunities to people in local communities, enhanced volunteers’ employability, relieved local service workloads and pressure, and delivered a service to women that they have overwhelmingly embraced.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority set out its strategy in 2021 to deliver a “radical transformation” following the murder of Sarah Everard by a police officer in London
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for policing, crime, criminal justice and fire said:
“Our annual report is an opportunity for us to reflect on the first two years of delivering our ambitious Gender-Based Violence Strategy.
“We have made real progress and helped to make Greater Manchester a safer place. But we know that there is still much work to do, and that the pace of change needs to continue, as announcements such as the recent National Police Chief’s Council’s ‘Violence Against Women and Girls has reached epidemic levels’ news story makes clear.
“Through working closely with our Gender-Based Violence Board members, leaders and organisations from all sectors, as well as the communities of Greater Manchester, we will ensure that we continue this vital work. Together, we will make the change that’s needed.”
