Bracknell Launches Charter to Combat Violence Against Women

Bracknell Forest Council has launched a Women and Girls Safety Charter to tackle violence against women and girls, from everyday misogyny and sexist behaviour to sexual violence, domestic abuse, grooming and exploitation.

The charter contains a nine-point pledge, including a zero-tolerance approach and clear accountability. It also comes with a toolkit of guidance, examples and templates for signatories to help make venues and services safer.

The charter went live at the end of last month and was officially launched by council leader Helen Purnell on Wednesday, August 19. The event was attended by Peter Swallow, the Labour MP for Bracknell, Thames Valley Police, members of the Bracknell Forest Community Safety Partnership and other organisations.

"When I became leader this year, I made it my top priority to tackle the epidemic of violence against women and girls, and the Bracknell Forest Women and Girls Safety Charter is one of the actions from that."

"I've just signed Bracknell Forest Council up. As a signatory to the Charter, you'll receive a toolkit, and that toolkit will give organisations, community groups, libraries, schools, gyms restaurants, whatever your business, it will give you actions that you can take to make your place, workplace, your venue a safe place for women and girls."

Interested parties can sign up to the charter on the council website.

The Bracknell Conservatives pre-empted the launch with their own policy on tackling gender-based violence on Monday, August 17. They set out eight commitments:

1. Put victims first
2. Protect single-sex spaces
3. Prevent violence before it happens
4. Target perpetrators, not their victims
5. Make public spaces safer
6. Protect women escaping violence
7. Listen to women and girls
8. Measure results and hold services to account

The Conservatives say their policy aligns with work by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber, who is from the same party.

Bracknell Forest Council is controlled by the Labour Party, with 20 councillors, 10 Conservatives, seven Liberal Democrats, three Greens and cllr Cherise Welch (Bracknell Forest Residents Group, Harmans Water & Crown Wood).

The Conservatives hope to retake control of the council and say they want improvements made now.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter