Issue - meetings
Non Cabinet members' debate
Meeting: 22/11/2021 - Council (Item 14)
14 Non Cabinet Members' Debate PDF 218 KB
To enable Non Cabinet Members to raise an issue of relevance to Brent for debate on which notice has been provided in accordance with Standing Order 34 and to receive reports from Cabinet members, as required, on any issues previously raised.
Members are asked to note that the subject identified for debate at this meeting is as follows:
Tackling violence against women and girls in Brent
The motion put forward as the basis for this debate has been attached.
Additional documents:
Decision:
The following motion was unanimously AGREED as the outcome of the non-cabinet member debate:
Tackling violence against Women and Girls in Brent
“This Council notes:
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is an unacceptable and preventable issue which needlessly blights millions of lives. Crimes of violence against women and girls are many and varied. They include rape, sexual assault, stalking, domestic abuse, ‘honour based’ abuse (including female genital mutilation and forced marriage and ‘honour’ killings), ‘revenge porn’ and ‘upskirting’, as well as many other heinous acts. While different types of violence against women and girls have their own distinct causes and impacts on victims and survivors, what these crimes share in common is the way that they cut across society regardless of background or circumstance.
The crimes committed in Fryent Park are appalling beyond comprehension. We send our thoughts, prayers and solidarity to Mina Smallman. We will keep Bibaa and Nicole at the forefront of all our work to redress the injustices this tragedy has cruelly exposed.
VAWG must be an urgent priority for this government and institutions of all kind.
To this end, Brent Council believes in meeting words, with action.
We have:
· Incorporated the VAWG strategy into the safer Brent Community Safety Partnership Strategy. This strategy (for all agencies in Brent) will focus on tackling all forms of violence and abuse that disproportionally affect women in Brent.
· Signed the Mayor of London’s Women’s Night Safety Charter, and continue to work alongside local night-time economy venues to improve the safety of female customers and staff within their premises. We are developing and commissioning bespoke vulnerability training for businesses in Brent to help identify and support women as a result.
· Developed and continue to develop various services and projects to support victims of VAWG and their families. These include the Brent Chrysalis Centre, Advance, NIA, Global thinking and the Brent domestic abuse housing team.
· Coordinated the IRIS project – which offers direct support to GPs for identification and referral of patients who may be victims of abuse and trafficking. In consultation with specialist support organisations, Brent Council has developed guidance on appropriate VAWG language, encouraging its use whenever there are discussions or communications regarding those impacted by VAWG.
· Provided additional funding and investment into independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) services and the Brent perpetrator program in partnership with Barnet and Enfield. The Council is liaising with the Home Office to increase local support to address gaps in culturally appropriate services for perpetrators of domestic abuse in minorities and/or marginalised groups.
· Commissioned three Women’s Refuges of 19 units, with work underway to procure further spaces as soon as possible.
In light of the deeply disturbing figures showing that in 2020, only 1.5% of all rape cases led to charge or summons this Council believes that much more urgent work is needed to eradicate violence against women in all its forms.
With this in mind, the Council pledges to:
· Make the safety and support of victims of any form of gender-based violence ... view the full decision text for item 14
Minutes:
In accordance with Standing Order 34, the Mayor advised that the next item on the agenda was the non-cabinet member debate, with the subject chosen for consideration being Brent’s pledge to tackling Violence against Women and Girls in Brent.
Members were advised that the motion submitted as the basis for debate had been circulated with the agenda and that the time available for the debate was 25 minutes.
The Mayor then invited Councillor Thakkar to introduce the motion. As context for the debate, Councillor Thakkar highlighted the unacceptable nature of violence against women and girls (VAWG) given the suffering caused in what was felt to be a hidden element of the pandemic. In highlighting the different forms of violence and abuse, Councillor Thakkar outlined how whilst they would all have their own distinct causes and impact on victims and survivors the common theme remained how they cut across society regardless of background or circumstance, with many victims often not heard. In seeking to highlight the issue as an urgent priority, Councillor Thakkar advised that the motion put forward for debate also sought to outline the work already being undertaken by the Council in tackling violence against women and girls and empowering victims of abuse. These initiatives included Brent having incorporated the VAWG strategy in to the Safer Brent Community Partnership strategy; signing the Mayor of London’s Women’s Night Safety Charter; developing services and projects to support victims of VAWG and their families; coordinating the IRIS project; providing additional funding and investment for independent domestic violence advisor services and the Brent perpetrator programme and commissioning three Women’s Refuges.
It was, however, pointed out that more work was needed in order to eradicate violence against women and girls in all its forms, with Councillor Thakkar commending the motion to Council by re-iterating that although Brent had committed to tackling violence against women and girls, there could be no complacency. The need was identified to continue raising awareness in order for government and other institutions of all kind to address the issues highlighted as a priority.
The Mayor thanked Councillor Thakkar for her powerful message in introducing the motion and opened up the debate to other members, with the following comments made during the discussion that followed.
Councillor Kabir, in supporting the motion, agreed that violence against women and girls was an issue that could not be tolerated and highlighted a need to acknowledge the magnitude of the problem, with religion and culture being used too often as ways to excuse acts of violence against females.
Councillor Colwill also advised that he fully supported the motion.
Councillor Dixon highlighted both the damaging psychological and potentially fatal impact of violence against women and girls and emphasised the increased risk women faced when they were pregnant or trying to leave a violent relationship. Councillor Dixon felt that by supporting the empowerment of women, the borough would be able to prosper even further and expressed her full support for the motion.
Councillor Donnelly-Jackson also welcomed ... view the full minutes text for item 14