The issue of violence against women and girls is a deeply rooted challenge in the capital, as conveyed to the London Assembly.
Janaya Walker, the head of public affairs for the End Violence Against Women coalition, emphasized to the Assembly that this is a critical concern.
On Tuesday, the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee revealed its intention to initiate an investigation into violence against women and girls (VAWG).
This inquiry will specifically examine the effects of such violence on young individuals in London.
The Youth Endowment Fund previously indicated that the ages of 16 to 19 are most frequently associated with the commission of rape and serious sexual offenses.
Ellie Softley, who leads educational efforts at the charity Everyone’s Invited, informed the Assembly that “there are fundamental issues” with the safeguarding measures currently employed in schools.
She remarked, “Rape culture is flourishing in our society, particularly taking root in educational institutions.”
“For many young people, the safeguarding process is inadequate and ineffective. Numerous youths we speak to report that the experience of reporting incidents and approaching a safeguarding leader at school can be more distressing than the assault itself.”
Professor Jessica Ringrose from University College London’s Faculty of Education and Society advocated for the implementation of “high-quality” relationship and sex education in schools, stating, “It’s often among the least funded subject areas.”
Walker called for a comprehensive strategic needs assessment across London focusing on all forms of violence against women and girls.
“We’ve established that younger demographics tend to experience sexual harassment disproportionately,” she noted. “It appears that many services are overwhelmed, and young women and girls are facing significant challenges in accessing support. The situation is dire in many respects.”
Regarding the prevalence of VAWG in London, she observed, “It continues to be a widespread issue.”
She also mentioned, “It’s challenging to ascertain whether the situation is improving or deteriorating due to the lack of reliable data.”
The draft Police and Crime Plan for London (2025-29) from the mayor aims to enhance the accountability of VAWG perpetrators and boost preventive measures against misogyny.
A representative for Mayor Sadiq Khan stated, “The mayor recognizes the national crisis of violence against women and girls and asserts that it requires immediate attention from both law enforcement and society at large.”
“Sadiq is taking the lead in London by promoting a public health framework to address violence against women and girls, yet it’s clear that more work lies ahead. This is why the mayor plans to release a revised VAWG strategy later this year, building on the progress that has been made.”
They added that the mayor supports the Metropolitan Police’s initiative to restore trust with women and girls.
The post New Research Unveils Alarming Rate of Violence Against Women and Girls in London Schools first appeared on London.
Author : London News
Publish date : 2025-02-27 10:39:17
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