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I wanted to provide an update regarding violence against women and girls, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. As the evenings get darker and many of us find ourselves travelling to and from work in reduced daylight, I wanted to take a moment to raise awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and open up an important conversation.
VAWG is an umbrella term that covers a range of harmful behaviours that disproportionately affect women and girls, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control, online abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence. While these issues affect individuals differently, creating awareness and understanding is something we can all contribute to.
Feeling safe should never be a privilege, whether at work, travelling home, or going about daily life. With darker mornings and evenings now upon us, I'd be interested to hear from residents about any areas, situations, or concerns that make you feel particularly unsafe or uncomfortable when leaving work or travelling after hours. Your insights can help us better understand the experiences of those around us and identify ways we can support one another.
To continue the conversation, I'm looking to organise a Walk & Talk session where people can come together in an informal setting to discuss personal safety, share experiences, raise awareness of VAWG, and explore practical ways we can create a safer environment for everyone.
Whether you would like to share concerns, suggestions, or simply learn more about the topic, your voice is welcome and valued.
Let's work together to build awareness, support one another, and foster a culture where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered.
 We take violence against women and girls incredibly seriously and will do everything in our power to ensure those who commit these crimes see justice. Please visit our website for the latest advice and guidance. If you have been the victim or have witnessed a crime, it is very important that you report this as early as possible. We also provide advice for everyone on how to keep one another safe. | 
