Agenda item

To consider a motion on notice submitted by Councillors Margaret Pattison and David Whitaker.

Councillor Parr proposed the following motion having given the required notice to the Chief Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15:-

“Council notes that:

·        Globally, every 11 minutes a woman is deliberately killed by a partner or family member

·        One in three women in England and Wales experience violence in their lifetime

·        Girls are at particular risk – 1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by her partner

·        On average, in England and Wales, a woman is killed by a man every three days

·        The ONS reported that in 2020 alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man

·        16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign which runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day

·        Street harassment and violence against women and girls is endemic in the UK: 80% of women of all ages have been sexually harassed in public, with 90% of these women not reporting it as they don’t believe it will make a difference

·        One in two women are sexually harassed in the workplace

·        One in five women will be raped in their lifetime

·        Women who report rape have a 3% chance of the report ending in conviction. Most women who survive domestic violence do not receive justice from the criminal justice system

Council believes that:

·        All women and girls have the right to feel safe in our streets and in their homes and workplaces

·        Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.

·        Perpetrators of serious violence usually have a history of inflicting abuse and harassment against other women and girls. Tackling violence against women and girls means dismantling this culture.

·        The seeds of violent behaviour are often sown at a young age and if the right interventions are not made in time, the problem perpetuates.

Council resolves to:

·        Support the work of local groups marking the UN 16 days of activism against gender based violence

·        Stand in solidarity with protestors who oppose violence against all women and girls.

·        Commends the commitment of the local Police and Crime Commissioner and Lancashire Police to tackle violence against women and girls

·        Work to ensure appropriate provision is in place for perpetrators of violence against women and girls to seek to change their behaviour

·        Do all we can as a council and in our communities to champion the rights and entitlements of women and girls and to tackle violence against them. This includes listening and responding to women and girls about the action we need, and calling out misogyny and sexism wherever we see and hear it.

·        To support those providing services in Lancaster district to deliver culturally competent services for VAWG which fully serve our diverse population.

·        To commit to the white ribbon pledge and to promote schemes that aim to educate men through campaigns that empower male “allies”.

·        Encourage licensed premises to subscribe to the Ask for Angela campaign”

Councillor Ainscough seconded the motion.

An officer briefing note had been included in the agenda papers to accompany the motion.

At the conclusion of the debate a vote was taken and the motion was clearly carried.

Resolved unanimously:-

To:

(1)        Support the work of local groups marking the UN 16 days of activism against gender based violence

(2)        Stand in solidarity with protestors who oppose violence against all women and girls.

(3)        Commends the commitment of the local Police and Crime Commissioner and Lancashire Police to tackle violence against women and girls

(4)        Work to ensure appropriate provision is in place for perpetrators of violence against women and girls to seek to change their behaviour

(5)        Do all we can as a council and in our communities to champion the rights and entitlements of women and girls and to tackle violence against them. This includes listening and responding to women and girls about the action we need, and calling out misogyny and sexism wherever we see and hear it.

(6)        To support those providing services in Lancaster district to deliver culturally competent services for VAWG which fully serve our diverse population.

(7)        To commit to the white ribbon pledge and to promote schemes that aim to educate men through campaigns that empower male “allies”.

(8)        Encourage licensed premises to subscribe to the Ask for Angela campaign”