Agenda item

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.

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 a priority at every level and with every partner in this borough.

·                Work alongside stakeholders, in particular the Metropolitan Police to improve safety for women and girls in Brent. Where they fail to do so, we will not hesitate to call for changes to the model of policing in this borough.

·                Work with all our partners to continue raising awareness for victims of VAWG including everyday sexism that precipitates into the most aggressive forms of violence.

·                Secure further wrap-around support for women escaping domestic abuse – and to undertake steps to publicise this help available to anyone in need which (as an amendment unanimously agreed at the meeting) will also be provided in formats which are accessible to deaf and disabled women.”

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 the motion, but in so doing also highlighted the additional difficulties faced by women with disabilities experiencing violence or abuse in being able to access support.  In response to this concern, Councillor Donnelly-Jackson suggested an amendment to the motion designed to ensure that as part of the action identified within the motion any information publicised to support women was also made available in an accessible format for deaf and disabled women.

Councillor Grahl then spoke to highlight her support of the motion and reflected upon personal experience and the entrenched attitudes that continued to support a culture of violence and abuse against women and girls. Councillor Grahl also thanked Brent Youth Parliament for having raised the issue of sexual harassment in schools earlier in the meeting and highlighted the continued need to challenge all examples of gender based inequality in order to effectively tackle the issues raised and drive the change required so that women and children could feel safe and live without fear of harm.

Councillor Daly also supported the motion and highlighted, as a concern, the increased challenges during the winter months when it was darker which would decrease access to public spaces as a means of seeking refuge.  In order to increase safety in these outdoor spaces the Council was therefore urged to ensure outdoor lighting was adequate and bushes or hedgerows were maintained to increase visibility so that women could feel safer in accessing these areas.

Councillor Georgiou also expressed his support for the motion and the need identified for further urgent action to tackle the various forms of violence and abuse against women and girls which had been highlighted, referencing recent high profile cases across London and in Brent.  As a result Councillor Georgiou advised that he would like to see more community work to educate and spread awareness of respect, consent and equality supported by specific work in Brent to enhance CCTV and lighting, tackle cultural based concerns and provide further training for councillors to support and advocate on behalf of constituents in tackling these issues.

Councillor Maurice also expressed his supported for the motion highlighting concerns in relation to safety on public transport and the need to improve the effectiveness of lighting used in public spaces to enhance safety.

Councillor Afzal also spoke to express his full support for the motion and share his concerns about what he felt to be multiple systemic failures from institutions such as the media, police and government to effectively challenge violence and abuse against women and girls.  Highlighting the impact of Government austerity on the funding available to provide support and focus on preventative strategies he also felt it was unacceptable to remain silent and avoid tacking action.

Councillor Sangani also took the opportunity to express her full support for the motion.  Echoing the sentiments highlighted by Councillor Dixon earlier in the debate she also supported the need to reduce fear and empower women and girls in tackling the issues raised which it was felt would lead to a more prosperous future for all Brent residents.

At this stage in proceedings the Mayor advised that the time available for the debate had expired and therefore asked Councillor Thakkar, as the member who had introduced and moved the motion, if she would be willing to accept the suggested amendment put forward by Councillor Donnelly-Jackson regarding support also being made available for deaf and disabled women in an accessible format. Councillor Thakkar agreed that the support being provided needed to be accessible to all women and advised she therefore welcomed and supported the amendment.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Knight as Lead Member for Community Safety and Engagement, to sum up and close the debate.

Councillor Knight began by thanking members for highlighting the challenges faced in tackling violence against women and girls, which despite its impact still remained one of the least prosecuted crimes.  In condemning any form of violence or harassment she pointed out the Council, despite the initiatives already taken, was aware there was more to do especially in seeking to challenge the culture which allowed these types of behaviours to go unchallenged.  In seeking to ensure that the memories of those affected by such violence, including Bibaa and Nicole Henry, were not forgotten she reiterated the Council’s commitment to breaking the cycle of violence and abuse which would include ongoing efforts in commissioning support services, working with cultural specific organisations in the community and in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to ensure justice was delivered for all those who had been affected and exposed to this type of violence and abuse, recognising its ongoing prevalence in society.  She therefore urged all members to support the motion presented as the basis for debate.

Councillor Knight ended by drawing attention to two events that all members and residents were invited to attend as part of Brent’s 16 Days of Activism including a candle vigil on 25 November in respect of victims of violence and domestic abuse and a Time to Talk event focussed on women’s safety taking place on 29 November.

The Mayor thanked all members for their contributions and as an outcome of the non-cabinet member debate it was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the motion (as amended) set out below:

“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 ‘up skirting’, 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 a priority at every level and with every partner in this borough.

·             Work alongside stakeholders, in particular the Metropolitan Police to improve safety for women and girls in Brent. Where they fail to do so, we will not hesitate to call for changes to the model of policing in this borough.

·             Work with all our partners to continue raising awareness for victims of VAWG including everyday sexism that precipitates into the most aggressive forms of violence.

·             Secure further wrap-around support for women escaping domestic abuse – and to undertake steps to publicise this help available to anyone in need which (as an amendment unanimously agreed at the meeting) will also be provided in formats which are accessible to deaf and disabled women.”