violence against women and girls
Councils are adopting new strategies and funding support services to address violence against women and girls, with a focus on prevention and community engagement.
Several councils are currently adopting new strategies to address violence against women and girls (VAWG). Barking and Dagenham Council adopted its 2026-2030 Community Safety Partnership Strategy in September 2026, making VAWG a priority. This follows a formal commitment in February 2026 to embed prevention measures. Croydon Council also adopted a new Community Safety Strategy in July 2026 focusing on tackling VAWG, while Kingston upon Thames Council approved its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-30 in June 2026, adding online harm as a new priority.
Councils are also allocating significant funding and implementing specific initiatives. Haringey Council awarded over £3 million in contracts for domestic abuse and VAWG support services in December 2025, and secured £5,000 for outreach to sex workers in October 2025. Waltham Forest's VAWG specialist services secured funding until 2027 in November 2025. Sutton is piloting new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which began in November 2024, to enhance protection for victims of domestic abuse and VAWG.
The Barking and Dagenham Community Safety Partnership Board is scheduled to meet on 7 October 2026, where discussions related to community safety, including violence against women and girls, are expected. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) encompasses various forms of violence and abuse perpetrated against women and girls, and is a priority area within many councils' community safety strategies.
Key facts
- Barking and Dagenham Council adopted its Community Safety Partnership Strategy for 2026-2030 on 23 September 2026. Source
- Kingston upon Thames Council approved its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-30 on 23 June 2026. Source
- Barking and Dagenham Council formally committed to tackling VAWG on 25 February 2026. Source
- Haringey Council awarded £3,029,958 in contracts for domestic abuse and VAWG support services on 9 December 2025. Source
- Barnet Council's Cabinet approved the Domestic Abuse and VAWG Strategy 2025-2029 in September 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.