Northamptonshire hosts ground-breaking conference to tackle violence against women and girls
Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone is set to host a landmark conference on Wednesday, 10 December, focused on reducing violence against women and girls.
The event will bring together leaders and policy makers from across the justice system, health, and education to explore ways to collaborate and achieve the Government’s 2024 target of reducing violence against women and girls by at least 50%.
Joining Commissioner Stone at the conference will be her two chiefs, Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet and Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson, alongside a group of national experts.
Speakers include Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing; Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap; Harriet Wistrich, CEO of the Centre for Women’s Justice; Ngozi Fulani, CEO of Sistah Space; Dr Hannana Siddiqui of Southall Black Sisters; and Assistant Chief Constable Emma James, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for honour-based abuse.
The conference will feature a panel discussion and Q&A, led by Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, to develop practical actions for policy makers.
Commissioner Stone said:
"This is a groundbreaking conference that I am proud to have brought together. Across every sector, we must collaborate to make meaningful change and protect all women and girls against violence and suffering. This conference is not just about listening; it is about developing real actions that will tackle violence against women and girls."
Northamptonshire Police has confirmed it is ahead of the curve on sexual-offence policies, following the Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 report published on 2 December.
While a quarter of police forces have yet to implement specialist policies for sexual offences, Northamptonshire was not among them, having welcomed the Angiolini team to the county and contributed to the report.
Locally, the total number of violent and sexual offences has declined slightly over the past year, though certain categories, including rape and other sexual offences, have seen increases.
The Commissioner’s office recently launched the Northamptonshire Women’s Safety Charter, calling on businesses and organisations to act against violence towards women and girls.
First signatories include Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, Northampton Town Football Club, London Northwestern Railway, Greatwell Homes, Brackmills BID, and Northampton BID.
Other ongoing initiatives in the county include Safer Streets interventions, Safer Nights Out Vans, and a town-centre facial recognition pilot aimed at reducing predatory behaviour.
The new ‘It Does Matter’ campaign, launched in November, encourages victims to report non-contact sexual offences to help police intervene early.
Commissioner Stone’s conference represents a key step in driving collaboration across Northamptonshire to ensure women and girls can live free from violence in their homes and communities.