VAWG – Tower Hamlets Neighbourhood Watch Association

Violence against Women and Girls

‘Any act of gender based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women [or girls], including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty’.

United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence towards Women (1993, Article 1)

Historically there are unequal power relations between men and women. Also stereo-type, a-typical males can be subject to gender-based abuse.

75% of survivors are females and are affected by the issue.

sexual abuse
domestic abuse
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
honour based abuse
forced marriage
stalking and harassment
prostitution
child sexual exploitation
Male abuse (gender based)

In 2020, 1.6 million women and 757.000 men experienced domestic abuse (9% increase from 2019)

33% of women were killed by their partner of ex-partner (63 homicides) compared to 1% of male victims

A woman is being killed every 3 days by partner or ex-partners in England and Wales

12.1% of adults aged 16-59 have experiences sexual assault

Over 137.000 have suffered FGM

1,355 cases of possible Forced marriage are known

Tower Hamlets has the fifth highest domestic abuse reports.

The Domestic Abuse Bill has been introduced in Parliament. Definition

Behaviour of person (A) towards another person (B) is domestic abuse if – A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and the behaviour is abusive.

Behaviour is ‘abusive’ if it consists of any of the following-

physical abuse
violent or threatening behaviour
controlling or coercive behaviour
economic abuse
sexual abuse

2015 Law changed the perspective of Domestic Abuse

Serious Crime Act was amended to include controlling and coercive behaviour.

Controlling behaviour a range of act to make a person subordinate and/or dependant, by isolation from sources of support, exploiting resources and capacities for personal gain

Coercive behaviour, assaults, threats, humiliation and intimidation other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten.

Power and Control Wheel