Help Shape Barking and Dagenham's Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy

Barking and Dagenham Council and its partners are developing a new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy. We want to hear from residents about their experiences, concerns and priorities to help shape local services and interventions.

What is Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)?

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is understood as a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women and girls, while recognising that men and boys can also be victims of many of these crimes.

The violence directed against a woman because she is a woman, or violence that affects women disproportionately. VAWG includes:

• Domestic abuse
• Sexual violence and rape
• Stalking
• Harassment
• Sexual harassment
• So-called honour-based abuse
• Forced marriage
• Female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Exploitation and trafficking
• Online and technology-facilitated abuse
• Other forms of violence and abuse rooted in gender inequality and misogyny

Violence Against Women and Girls is rooted in gender inequality and driven by attitudes, behaviours and structures that allow misogyny and violence to persist. Our strategy will focus on preventing violence and abuse, protecting and supporting victims and survivors, and working with partners to challenge and stop perpetrator behaviour.

Why are we asking for your views?

We want to hear from people who live, work, study or access services in Barking and Dagenham, as well as professionals and community organisations. Your experiences, knowledge and views will help us to:

• Understand local concerns about violence against women and girls. [
• Identify where people feel most at risk and where improvements are needed.
• Assess awareness of existing support services and whether they meet local needs.
• Understand which issues, services and actions should be prioritised in the new strategy.
• Ensure the strategy reflects the experiences and needs of all communities across the borough.

The feedback gathered through this consultation will be used to shape the priorities and action plan for the Barking and Dagenham Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, helping us and our partners target resources and support where they are needed most.

All responses are anonymous and confidential. We will use the information you provide only for the purposes of developing the VAWG Strategy. Individual responses will not be identified in any reports or publications.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views.

The consultaiton will close on 30th November 2026.