Together we can make a difference.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS (VAWG)
What is VAWG?
Any act of gender-based violence that is directed at a woman because she is a
woman, or acts of violence which are suffered disproportionally by women”. The
majority of VAWG is carried out by men against women and girls (although men
can also experience violence or abuse).
VAWG encompasses any offence which disproportionately affects women and
girls. The VAWG offences most likely to show prevalence alongside and correlation
to the night time economy are sexual offences including incidents of ‘spiking’,
‘catcalling’ causing harassment, alarm and distress contrary to the Public Order
Act 1986 and assault.
VAWG brings together 11 areas of gender-based violence:
- Domestic Violence and Abuse
- Sexual Violence
- Trafficking
- Prostitution
- Sexual Exploitation
- Female Genital Mutilation
- So-called ‘Honour’ Based Violence
- Dowry Related Abuse
- Stalking and Harassment
- Upskirting
- Revenge Porn
- Domestic Violence and Abuse
Domestic violence can be physical, sexual,
emotional, financial or psychological and
consists of a pattern of controlling behaviour
which comes from an abuser’s desire to
maintain power and control over their
partner or family members. It is not caused
by alcohol or anger issues.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone
regardless of their social background, age,
gender, faith, ethnicity or sexuality. - Sexual Violence
Sexual Violence includes rape and sexual
abuse. It can happen to anyone and can be
perpetrated by partners, friends, and family
members as well as complete strangers. Any
sexual contact without consent is considered
sexual violence and is a crime. This includes
any unwanted sexual touching. Sexual
violence can happen anywhere. - Trafficking and Prostitution
Many women and girls are forced or coerced
or deceived into selling sex and/or to continue
selling sex. Trafficking includes recruiting
and exploiting women and girls from abroad
and from within the UK for the purposes of
prostitution (or domestic servitude). - Sexual Exploitation
Sexual Exploitation is linked to trafficking
and prostitution in that woman and girls
can be exploited sexually through trafficking
or prostitution. Sexual exploitation affects
people of any age, gender, race, ability, or
sexual orientation. Sexual exploitation of
children and young people is an activity by
anyone who has power over young people
and uses it to sexually abuse them. This can
involve a broad range of exploitative activities,
from seemingly ‘consensual’ relationships
and informal exchange of sex for attention,
a place to stay, gifts or cigarettes, through to
serious organised crime and includes sexual
exploitation by gangs. - Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting involves
the partial or total removal of the external
female genitalia or other injury to the female
genital organs for non-medical reasons. This
is a crime in the UK even if the person is taken
overseas for the mutilation. It is mostly carried
out on young girls from infancy to around 15
years. - So-called ‘Honour’ Based Violence
‘Honour’ based violence or ‘honour’ crime is
an act of violence explained by the abuser
as being committed in order to protect
or defend the ‘honour’ of the family/
community. Young women are most likely
to experience this type of violence where
they are perceived to have acted outside
of acceptable behaviour including: wearing
makeup, having boyfriends/ girlfriends from
outside the family/community, becoming
pregnant outside of marriage and rejecting
a forced marriage. - Forced Marriage
A forced marriage is one that takes place
where one or both of the couple do not
consent or lack the capacity to consent.
A forced marriage is not the same as an
arranged marriage – the difference is that
individuals choose to get married with an
arranged marriage even though their families
play a role in finding their partner. - Dowry Related Abuse
Some women can experience abuse by their
partner or in-laws for not bringing enough of
a dowry (money or goods) with them when
they get married. - Stalking and Harassment
Stalking is repeated harassment that
causes fear, distress or alarm to the person
experiencing it. It can include threatening
phone calls, social media, emails, texts and
letters, damaging property and following
or spying on the person. - Upskirting
Upskirting is when a person operates
equipment beneath the clothing of another
person, with the intention of enabling themselves
or another person to observe the
persons genitals / buttocks / underwear in
circumstances where they would otherwise
not be visible, and this is done for sexual
gratification or to humiliate / alarm / distress
the person. - Revenge Porn
Revealing or sexually explicit images or
videos of a person posted on the internet,
typically by a former sexual partner, without
the consent of the subject and in order to
cause them distress or embarrassment.
How to get help
We know that it can be very difficult to ask for and to find help. Abuse can undermine your confidence and make you feel unable to act.
But there are lots of people who can help and advise you on the course of action which is best for you. If you feel that you or your children are in immediate danger then your first priority must be to keep yourself safe. Call 999 for the police in an emergency and 101 in a non emergency. It can be very confusing and frightening to think about leaving a relationship or finding support for past violence from a partner or from your family but there is help out there and many forms of support are listed in this guide. If you have experienced any of the forms of VAWG, there is help and support across the borough.
- all forms of abuse are wrong and you are
never to blame.
If you are being abused, remember: - You are not to blame for being abused or
mistreated. - You are not the cause of your partner’s or
your family’s abusive behaviour. - You deserve to be treated with respect
- You deserve a safe and happy life.
- Your children deserve a safe and happy life.
- You are not alone. There are people
waiting to help.
How to help your friends and family
If you suspect someone has been abused or
is currently experiencing abuse - Talk to her and try to get her to open up
- Don’t be judgemental or look shocked
- Reassure her that the abuse is not her fault
- Don’t criticise someone for staying with an
abuser or defending the abuser - If you need to support your friend or a
family member make sure that anything
you do to help does not place them at
further risk of harm - If the abuse is from their family do not
suggest mediation (family or community)
as this can lead to further abuse or risk of
harm - Offer practical support – use of your phone,
mobile or address for messages - Help your friend or family member to safety
plan for themselves or their children - Do not promise to keep things a secret if
you think that children are at risk of harm. - It is important to get specialist support for
victims of all forms of VAWG and helplines
are available in this guide.
There are lots of people who
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts and don’t put up with people that are reckless with yours
A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP MEANS YOU AND YOUR PARTNER ARE:
Enjoying being together, but feel free to do your own thing
Respectful (incl. culturally and spiritually)
Making mutual choices and feel equal
Supportive and encouraging of each other
Economic / financial partners
Trusting and honest
Communicating well
ABUSE IS OCCURRING IN A RELATIONSHIP WHEN ONE PARTNER IS:
Isolating their partners from family and friends
Disrespectful (incl. culturally and spiritually)
Checking a partners mobile phone, emails or other
private messages without permission
Controlling, manipulative and it’s not an equal relationship
Not supportive, mistreats and / or belittles a partner
Unequal economically – in control of all finances
Not trusting and dishonest
Not communicating or only in a hurtful or threatening way
Pressurising you into activities you do not feel comfortable with
Possessiveness or jealously – often making false accusations
Restricting their partner from following their beliefs
Denying their actions are abusive
DOMESTIC ABUSE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse you are not to blame and you are not alone. Help and support is available.
LOCAL AND NATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES:
- BAWSO (Black Association Women Step Out): 0800 7318 147
BAWSO support people from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds who are affected
by domestic abuse and other forms of abuse, including Female Genital Mutilation,
Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking & Prostitution. - Childline: 0800 1111
Freephone Childline counsellors are here to take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
from children and young people under 19. - Choose2Change: 0300 003 2340 / enquiries.cymru@relate.org.uk
A service that helps men who are abusive and who want to change the way they
behave in their relationships and offers support to their partner during this time. - Clare’s Law: www.clares-law.com/
Also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme is a police policy giving you
the right to know if your partner has an abusive past. - Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously. - Dasu: www.dasunorthwales.co.uk/
DASU provides professional coordinated and targeted interventions to people
experiencing domestic abuse across Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. - Dewis Cymru: www.dewis.wales
Your one stop shop for local services available to you. - Galop: 0800 999 5428
We support LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. - GISDA: www.gisda.org
GISDA is a charity that provides intensive support and opportunities for young people
living in north wales. - Gorwel: 0300 111 2121
We are a business unit within Grŵp Cynefin housing association that provides quality
services to support people suffering domestic abuse. We work with individuals and
families, including tenants of Grŵp Cynefin, within four counties in north Wales. - Hourglass UK Helpline: 0808 8088 141
Hourglass works to challenge and prevent the abuse of older people, through the
provision of services, training. - Karma Nirvana: 0800 5999 247
Supporting victims of honour crimes and forced marriages. - MATCHMothers: www.matchmothers.org/
MATCHmothers is a charity that offers non-judgemental support and information
to mothers apart from their children in a wide variety of circumstances. - Men’s Advice Helpline: 0808 8010 327
Provides domestic advice for men. - National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
Here to reduce the risk of violence and aggression through campaigning,
education and support. - North Wales Police: www.northwales.police.uk/
If you have been a victim or witness an incident, report non-urgent
issues via our online facility or call 101 or in an emergency dial 999. - Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC): 01248 670 628
Our confidential helpline provides information and emotional support to survivors
of rape or sexual abuse, and to people who are supporting a survivor. - Relate: www.relate.org.uk / 0300 003 2340 / enquiries.cymru@relate.org.uk
Relate services are here to help strengthen relationships across Wales, through
individual, couple, family or young people counselling. Whether you are on your
own, or in a relationship, LGBTQI+ or non-monogamous, we are here to help. - RESPECT Helpline: 0808 8024 040
Do you have concerns about your behaviour towards your partner and want to stop? - Samaritans: Freephone 116 123
24 hour listening service. - Stepping Stones: 01978 352 717
Stepping Stones offers support and a professional counselling service to adult
survivors of child sexual abuse. - STOPCE: 01332 585371
Our network links professionals involved in creating the best response for children and
young people and their families who have become subjected to child exploitation. - Victim Help Centre North Wales: 0300 30 30 159
Providing support for victims of crime. - White Ribbon: www.whiteribbon.org.uk
White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence
against women and girls. - Welsh Women’s Aid – Live Fear Free Helpline: 0808 80 10 800
Provide a 24 hour bilingual freephone help line information and signposting service to
women, men and children that are experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence.
WHAT IS COERCIVE CONTROL?
Coercive control is a persistent pattern of controlling, coercive and threatening
behaviour including all or some forms of domestic abuse (emotional, physical,
financial, sexual including threats) by a boyfriend / girlfriend, partner, husband /
wife or ex. It traps women in a relationship and makes it impossible or
dangerous to leave.
This can have a serious impact including the fear of violence, cause serious alarm
and distress and can result in a woman giving up work, changing her routines,
losing contact with family and friends. Coercive control can damage a woman’s
physical and emotional well-being.
KNOW THE SIGNS
Answering yes to any of the following questions may help you recognise signs of coercive control.
Do you feel like you are being isolated from your friends and family?
Do they deprive you of basic everyday needs like food, electricity, heating?
Do you think they are monitoring your online activity, or installed spyware on your phone, laptop or any other device?
Do they take control over aspects of your everyday life, such as where you can go, who you can see, what to
wear, when to be home and when you can sleep?
Do they stop you from accessing support services, such as specialist support or medical services?
Are they repeatedly putting you down such as telling you that you’re worthless?
Do they threaten to reveal or publish private information about you, like private photos or videos online?
Do they enforce rules and activity that humiliate, degrade or dehumanise you?
Do they force you to take part in criminal activity such as shoplifting?
Are they in control of the finances and do they prevent you from working and having your own money?
