Barking and Dagenham Council has formally committed to tackling violence against women and girls.
At a meeting on Wednesday 25 February 2026, the Assembly agreed a motion calling for the embedding of primary prevention measures against violence against women and girls across all council policies.
The motion, moved by Councillor Harriet Spoor and seconded by Councillor Val Masson, also urged support for the Istanbul Convention's prevention measures, with a particular focus on engaging men and boys.
Councillor Spoor, who also co-chairs the Dagenham Rainham White Ribbon Strategy, stated that the work is not abstract
and that this societal wrong needs action.
She highlighted research indicating that a significant majority of girls have changed their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment and that many feel politicians are not doing enough to tackle misogyny.
The motion was agreed by the Assembly, signalling the council's commitment to challenging misogyny and violence against women and girls within the borough.