Ending violence against women and girls is something that sits very close to my heart, and I know I’m not alone in that. Too many women and girls, and people of all genders, live with fear, control and abuse behind closed doors. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of the work Suffolk has already been doing, long before the Government announced its new national strategy at the end of last year.
In Suffolk, we didn’t wait to be told this mattered. We acted.
Over recent years, we’ve worked closely with police, health partners, schools, charities and specialist community organisations to build a joined-up, trauma-informed approach to preventing violence, intervening early, and supporting victim-survivors to be safe and rebuild their lives.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the Suffolk Domestic Abuse Champions Network. Since launching in 2019, more than 1,600 people across our communities have been trained to spot the signs of abuse and to know how, and where, to help someone reach safety. These people aren’t just working in public services; they are teachers, hairdressers, shop workers, volunteers and neighbours. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
The impact of this work has been recognised nationally. When the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, visited Suffolk in 2024, she told us that “Suffolk had been the talk of the office” that week. That recognition matters, but what matters more is the difference those champions make every single day.
We’ve also invested heavily in training frontline professionals, because the right response at the right moment can change, or save, a life. Teachers, healthcare workers, social care staff and others are receiving training on issues including honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation, stalking, sexual violence, misogyny, online harms and trauma-informed practice. This also includes how to complete risk assessments and make referrals to a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), where professionals from different agencies work together to plan safety for people at high risk. This isn’t tick-box training; it’s about confidence, understanding and compassion.
Alongside this, we’ve significantly strengthened our safe accommodation offer for people fleeing abuse, whether they are coming from within Suffolk or moving here for safety. We now have a range of accommodation options suitable for people of all ages and gender identities, with tailored support in place, including access to specialist mental health support for those dealing with the impact of trauma and abuse.
Last year, we published our Safe Accommodation Strategy for 2025–2028, shaped directly by lived experience, service providers and local needs. Listening to people who have been through abuse and acting on what they tell us, is something I believe deeply in. This year, we’re focusing especially on working with younger people who have experienced abuse, co-producing new routes to support and opportunities that actually meet their needs.
Community voice has also been central to shaping our new Ending Violence Against Women and Girls+ Strategy for 2025–2028. We held engagement sessions with victim-survivors across Suffolk, both face-to-face and online, alongside sessions with professionals. Our ambition now is to establish an ongoing survivor voice panel so lived experience continues to directly influence decisions and action.
Collaboration sits at the heart of this work. We see it in how we deliver the national White Ribbon Campaign locally, with organisations across Suffolk uniting around one clear message: violence against women and girls is never acceptable.
There is still more to do, but Suffolk’s progress shows what is possible when we are determined, compassionate and prepared to listen. In March 2025, Full Council passed a motion appointing Councillor Bobby Bennett as Suffolk’s Violence Against Women and Girls Champion, strengthening our leadership and accountability on this issue.
This work matters to me not just as a councillor, but as a person. And I’m proud to hand over to Bobby to share what this role means for the future.
Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and VAWG Champion:
As Suffolk’s Violence Against Women and Girls Champion, my focus is on prevention, especially when it comes to children and young people.
If we want lasting change, we have to tackle harmful attitudes early, challenge misogyny and online harms, and make sure young people grow up with positive role models and a clear understanding of healthy, respectful relationships.
Through our Violence Against Women and Girls Steering Group, we’re exploring new education programmes and opportunities shaped by young people themselves.
I’m proud to take on this role and to build on the strong work already happening across Suffolk as we continue striving to make our county safer for everyone.
