Solicitor General Vera Baird QC MP who has written a book on rape and women's experiences in court gave the keynote speech at a conference coinciding with International Women's Day on 8 March. The conference was organised by the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East) and highlighted what is being done in the East of England to support victims of rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, prostitution, honour based violence and forced marriage.
Ms Baird said:
"Violence against women attacks the very fabric of our society. It has a profound effect on individual victims, their families, children, and on society at large. Three million women across the UK experience rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, human trafficking or another form of violence every year.
"I have heard today the excellent work that is going on in the East of England to tackle this issue in light of the government's pioneering Violence against Women strategy which was launched last year. Events like today's put the spotlight on these crimes - and the need to continue to address the issues and identify best practice.
"It is also incredibly significant in our efforts to improve the level of support and care we provide victims and witnesses."
A 42-year-old domestic violence survivor from Cambridge told her story to more than 150 delegates. After suffering two years of violence at the hands of her partner the mother left home with her children and with the support of Cambridge Women's Aid has managed to turn her life around.
One woman dies every three days in the UK as a result of domestic violence. Its effects on children can be long-lasting and it is a major cause of homelessness.
Significant improvements have been made in services for domestic violence victims in the East of England in the past three years and the conference will be highlighting these, which include the Choice Hotline which was launched by Cambridgeshire Police in June 2008.
The Choice Hotline is staffed solely by female police officers to provide confidential advice and support to women at risk of honour based violence. DI Melanie Dales of Cambridgeshire Police heads the project and will be addressing the conference during the afternoon.
DI Dales said:
"Honour based violence has been a hidden crime for far too long. The Choice Hotline has received more than 250 calls since its launch last summer and we are working on over 70 live cases. Victims come from all parts of Cambridgeshire and from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds, from Europe as well as the Indian sub-continent and Africa.
"The volume of calls we're getting indicates to me that we are just skimming the surface of this problem. I would urge all professional bodies working with vulnerable groups to stop ignoring the issue and to take action now."
Angie Conroy, from South East Rape and Incest Crisis Centre (SERRIC) which works with women and girls in Thurrock, Basildon and Brentwood who have or who are suffering sexual violence also spoke at the conference.
She said:
"We are pleased that sexual violence and the lack of service provision is being highlighted and we look forward to working with GO-East to map the gaps that have recently been identified in specialist sexual violence services in the region."
Other discussions at the conference included:
- Suffolk Prostitution initiative, which is protecting and supporting women to make changes to their lives;
- the setting up of Sexual Assault Referral Centres around the region to provide wide-ranging help to women who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
