London VAWG Board meeting minutes - 7 March 2022

Present         

Diana Luchford - Chair – MOPAC

Jain Lemom – MOPAC

Lizzie Peters – MOPAC

Michael Taylor – MOPAC

Naomi Sterling - MOPAC

Andrea Simon – EVAW

Charisma Ghorpade - GLA

Chloe Collins – NHS

Diane Egan - London Heads of Community Safety

Jane Connors – MPS

Jane Garvan - MPS

Joanne Towens - HMCTS

Katie Nash – HMPPS

Lisa Ramsarran – CPS

Melissa Darby - GLA

Nour Gazarin – WRC

Rachel Buttrick – London Councils

Viv Hayes - WRC

Apologies

Baljit Banga - Imkaan

Carol London-Baptiste - VRU

Clive Grimshaw - London Councils

Fenella Beckman – Housing Directors Network

Kevin Southworth - MPS

The Board was welcomed to the meeting. 

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed; all actions are completed or are being covered in this meeting.

The MPS has been delivering high visibility policing in public spaces and working to increase sanction detection rates. 

The online survey about the Action Plan has received over 2000 responses which are being reviewed as part of the refresh along with the use of Equality Impact Assessments. 

Feedback highlights include: the need to rebuild public trust in the MPS, including intersectionality, and work around online spaces. 

The Action Plan will also reflect the work of Operation Soteria, HMICFRS reports, and the Rape Reference Group. The refreshed version is expected to be relaunched at end of March 2022. 

Jane G updated that the Action Plan will also include work on educating young people in what is acceptable behaviour.

To address cases when MPS officers are reported as alleged perpetrators of VAWG, there is Operation Sigma, an anonymous reporting tool, and a dedicated Professional Standards team reviewing allegations and supporting those who have made them.

The MPS deep dive, completed in December, identified key findings: the need for specialism for RASSO, differential outcomes, and the cross-over between victims of RASSO and DA. The MPS are reviewing the finding recommendations and options for implementation, with feedback sessions being held with frontline officers.  The Soteria team is liaising with the MPS on this progression.

Nationally, Soteria deep dives are occurring in Durham, West Midlands and South Wales police services, and learning is shared at national events. The Soteria team is working with the College of Policing and RASSO experts to develop a new Interim Learning Program for RASSO police investigators. Home Office funding for 2022-23, so that recommendations can be further implemented and developed, is pending confirmation. MOPAC is linking Soteria within the MOPAC oversight processes, with a strategic review of ISVA provision.

The Board received an overview of the campaign, which was developed with Ogilvy PR, and will launch on 14/03/22 at the football game, being accompanied by press releases and celebrity support.  This campaign targets all men, highlighting how VAWG escalates from words in public spaces, to encourage them to challenge misogynist behaviour in themselves and friends. There is an online HUB with information on how men can change their behaviour and become allies of women.  The Board was shown the campaign video (being finalised) and mirror decals for use by partners such as sports clubs and gyms.

The GLA campaign will complement the Home Office ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign; the GLA and Home Office liaise during the campaigns and share a common media agency to promote them. The GLA also liaises with TfL to avoid duplication of their campaign of non-harassment on the transport network.  London Councils is liaising with local authorities to coordinate and align their different public campaigns on women’s safety, and London Heads of Community Safety will identify best practice for VAWG campaigns. 

Police and Crime Plan (PCP)

The PCP consultation concluded on 21 January 2022, and MOPAC has been reviewing and incorporating feedback into the development of the new PCP.  It is intended that the PCP will be published before the pre-election period begins.

VAWG Strategy

There has been extensive consultation, by MOPAC and the Victims’ Commissioner, with partners and the public to develop a draft Strategy, which has been sent to key partners for their feedback.  The publication date of the Strategy is pending confirmation.

Key themes are: prevention, tackling perpetrators and supporting victims and survivors. Perceptions of public safety and trust and confidence will also be cross-cutting themes, and the Strategy will be developed through a public health approach. Key policy areas included are: the Istanbul Convention, City of Sanctuary, public health approach, and intersectional trauma-informed approach.

Tranche Four commissioned services have been granted additional funding to run until 30 September 22, whilst future commissioning is considered.  The Mayor has also announced an additional £5 million funding for VAWG, for each of next three years. The Victims Care Hub is a Mayoral manifesto commitment and options for delivery within the Mayoral term are currently being considered.

The Board discussed whether a firewall could be implemented to prevent migrant survivors of VAWG being reported to the Home Office. Although the decision is with the Home Office, MOPAC supports a Firewall and is liaising with the MPS to ensure that all survivors are supported, regardless of their immigration status.