Hundreds of people from across the East Midlands came together in Nottingham this week to back a powerful regional drive to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Deputy PCCs from across the region joined survivors, charities, health leaders, educators, and frontline officers at Goosedale in Papplewick, for the first ever East Midlands VAWG Conference, hosted by Nottinghamshire PCC Gary Godden and Deputy PCC Angela Kandola.
At the heart of the day was a clear and urgent message: prevention must be central to the region’s response to VAWG.
National statistics show one in 12 women and girls experience a VAWG-related crime each year, with these offences accounting for one in five of all crimes recorded by police.
The conference highlighted the wealth of work already happening across the East Midlands to address the root causes of VAWG and drive cultural change.
Prevention showcases from each county gave delegates practical examples of innovative practice, from Nottinghamshire’s award-winning Consent Coalition campaign to Derbyshire’s outreach to rural domestic abuse victims, Leicestershire’s Speaking Honestly 2 Understand Sexual Harm and Sexual Harm Awareness and Recognising Abuse youth education programmes, Lincolnshire’s prevention-focused schools initiative, and Northamptonshire’s pioneering “Raneem’s Law” pilot, placing crisis Independent Domestic Violence Advisor’s directly within police control rooms.
Delegates also heard keynote addresses from Kate Davies CBE, NHS England’s National Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Referral Centres; Alex Davies-Jones MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice; Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands; and Michelle Welsh, MP for Sherwood Forest – all of whom underscored the need for joined-up responses, cultural change, and sustainable investment in prevention.
A series of breakout sessions gave attendees the chance to explore issues in greater depth and share learning across sectors. A panel discussion on technology-enabled abuse highlighted the growing risks posed by online platforms, spyware and digital stalking, and the urgent need for improved safeguards and awareness.
Other workshops explored the importance of “by-and-for” organisations, which provide culturally competent, specialist support tailored to communities’ unique needs. Delegates also engaged with creative approaches to prevention and recovery – including workshops on belly dancing, yoga and mindfulness – emphasising the role of self-expression, wellbeing and confidence-building in empowering survivors and preventing further harm.
Sessions on engaging men and boys in prevention resonated with PCC Gary Godden’s longstanding belief that men must be central to changing behaviours and attitudes, given the fact that the majority of VAWG offences are committed by men.
The role of young people in shaping safer futures was another recurring theme.
County showcases and discussions highlighted youth-led campaigns, school-based programmes, and peer-to-peer engagement models as vital to building understanding of healthy relationships and challenging harmful attitudes early.
As well as celebrating progress, the day provided a platform for challenge and accountability. Survivor voices were heard alongside statutory leaders, ensuring lived experience remained at the centre of the discussions. Tables also developed county-level and regional “next steps,” with actions to be taken forward collectively after the conference.
The conference closed with reflections from Michelle Welsh MP, who praised the East Midlands’ collaborative approach and urged delegates to continue building momentum.
She stressed that the legacy of the event must be tangible change – safer communities, stronger partnerships, and a lasting cultural shift.
Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “Every woman and every girl should be able to live their life free from the fear of violence. The fact that many cannot do this is completely unacceptable, but I want to be clear that this is not purely a police issue. We need society as a whole to come together to drive out this behaviour.
“I hope that this Conference will help to raise awareness of the problems and let us share the best ways to tackle it because changing negative behaviour is never easy, especially when it is deep-rooted. Ignoring it, however, is most definitely not an option. My approach to is always to prioritise prevention activity and I hope that between us the East Midlands PCCs can identify effective ways to achieve this.”
The East Midlands VAWG conference reinforced that prevention is not just a policy ambition but a shared responsibility.
By aligning efforts, amplifying survivor voices and investing in long-term change, the region is setting a clear standard for others to follow.
Ends
Posted on Wednesday 8th October 2025