This branch believes:
· That we must fight to end violence against women and girls
· Women should be free from violence and harassment in public spaces
· Women should be safe in their homes
This branch notes:
· An investigation by UN Women UK found that 97% of women aged 18-24 have been sexually harassed, with a further 96% not reporting those situations because of the belief that it would not change anything
· Most women murder victims are murdered by partners or ex partners[1]
· Successive rounds of funding cuts have severely cut funding to the domestic violence and sexual abuse sector[2]
This branch believes:
· Violence against women is not biologically written; it can be promoted or diminished by improving material conditions of women and cultural change
· We can reduce violence against women and girls by increasing social equality, gender equality, promoting consent, respect and empathy, in sexual and non sexual relationships
· Services that allow women to leave unsafe homes could save lives, these include free transport, easily accessed public housing and specialist domestic violence services
· The scale of sexual and gendered violence in society is enormous and the resources needed to tackle it — through education and prevention, and through rehabilitating offenders – should be made available
· Reforms to criminal justice system should not focus on new legislation, rather complaints being taken seriously and investigated fully, and victims being better supported
This Branch will campaign for:
· Reversal of the cuts to public service
· Full funding for sexual and domestic violence services, under local authority control, including specialised BME, LGBT+ and disabled women’s services
· An education system that promotes positive relationships, respect, empathy and consent and gives children the confidence to challenge inappropriate behaviour
This Branch will:
- Begin a discussion with our membership about how to fight abuse and sexual harassment in the workplace
- [industry specific demands/ workplace demands]
[1] The femicide report in 2020 revealed 61% of women murder victims were killed by a partner or ex partner whilst 6% of femicides (9 victims) were committed by a stranger
[2] https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/201902_beneath_the_numbers_-_an_exploration_of_the_increases_of_recorded_domestic_abuse_and_sexual_offences.pdf
Briefing for activists 