OUR MISSION
Violence against women and girls refers to forms of violence & abuse which disproportionally affect women and girls and are rooted in the abuse of power and control over victims. This includes domestic abuse, sexual abuse & harassment, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Preventing violence against women and girls is a key aim of the VRP. We have a particular focus on work with young people and helping them to develop an understanding of respect and equality, to support them to build healthy friendships and relationships. This is done through engaging with colleagues in nurseries, schools, colleges, faith communities and beyond.
In practical terms this means we:
- Provide training to establishments such as schools, colleges, faith communities etc to run the MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) programme, which is rooted in promoting equality and healthy relationships, as well as programmes to address harmful sexual behaviour
- Fund the delivery of programmes in nurseries, rooted in Protective Behaviours, to support young children in understanding feeling safe, asking for help, equality and building good friendships, along with training for staff including in domestic abuse awareness
- Support the running of the regional Domestic Abuse Board, including contributing to work under the Board, including reviewing the effectiveness of regional processes for supporting high risk victims, amongst others
- Supporting West Midlands Police in work to increase the safety of women in the night time economy
If you are a professional…
The VRP delivers a monthly webinar, open to all, on Ending Male Violence Against Women and Girls. This jam packed, one-hour session covers:
- A brief overview of violence against women and girls
- What is ending male violence against women and girls (EMVAWG)?
- The government’s strategy to ending male violence against women and girls
- What is the Public Health Approach to Violence and what the VRP are prioritising as part of the agenda?
The VRP has a number of programmes which we support places like schools, youth clubs and sports clubs to run, where aims include preventing abuse in relationships. ‘MVP’ (Mentors in Violence Prevention) is a programme where young people lead discussion sessions on key issues and are part of building positive, inclusive and respectful relationships and communities. Get in touch if you’re interested in getting your organisation or group trained in running MVP.
We also commission programmes for young children in pre-school (in Coventry, Solihull and Birmingham) based on Protective Behaviours which equip young children in understanding feeling safe, asking for help, being a good friend, equality etc, also as a way to help children understand healthy relationships and prevent abuse.
Watch our SVD Misogyny Webinar here: bit.ly/4djfVmA
The webinar above and accompanying reflective workbook has been specially designed by experts in the field of VAWG to help both professionals and practitioners to improve their understanding of the complex and intersecting factors that underpin and drive gender based violence.
The principle aim of these resources is to not only improve knowledge and understanding of critical issues, but also help those who access the webinar to consider how to create safe, non-judgemental spaces to educate young peeople, in particular, young boys and men, about gender-based violence in a way that challenges harmful belief systems and ideologies.
If you are a parent/community member…
If you are concerned about a family member, friend, or need support yourself, there are a range of services which can help Domestic Abuse Support – West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk)
Find out more about VAWG here, including how to take a positive stand Upstanders not Bystanders – West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk)
If you are a young person…
If you are concerned about a family member, friend, or need support yourself, there are a range of services which can help Domestic Abuse Support – West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk)
