At Advance we have been working for over 25 years to support women and girls to lead safe, violence-free, and equal lives.
Join us in calling politicians to commit to our pledges to support women and girls locally and nationally.
Calling on all Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) and Mayoral candidates to commit to our pledges:
1. Increase support for women in contact with the criminal justice system (CJS).
- Recognise the specific needs of women who are in contact with the CJS in local action plans and produce a Blueprint for women in contact with the CJS.
- Increase funding for community-based support which ensures women in contact with the CJS can rebuild their lives safely, working in multi-agency response with social care, health, and other statutory and voluntary services.
- Invest in early intervention and diversion services for women in contact with the CJS.
2. Prioritise tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
- Include VAWG as a key strategic threat within local action plans.
- Commit to rooting out misogyny in the police force and ensure that police are effectively supporting survivors of abuse.
- Commission specialist VAWG services, including ‘by and for’ services, which meet the specific needs of women in their area.
- For Mayoral candidates specifically to deliver sufficient, high-quality, safe accommodation and accommodation support for women experiencing abuse.
3.Commit to funding services for girls and young women up to the age of 25.
- Recognise the specific needs of girls and young women up to the age of 25 within local action plans.
- Commission specialist services for girls and young women at risk of or in contact with the CJS, which recognise their age- and gender.
- Work with local authorities, education providers, and youth services to embed early intervention and specialist support for girls at risk of domestic abuse.
4. Commit to close joint working to support women’s mental health.
- Work with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS providers and local authorities to commission specialist services for women with complex needs, including mental health and substance use.
- Work with local authorities and ICBs to commission specialist mental health support for women who have experience abuse or have been in contact with the CJS.