'Ending domestic abuse and sexual abuse/violence (DASV) and male violence against women and girls (VAWG) is everyone's business'.

This is the overriding message from Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (CIOS) safeguarding organisations as they launch two new five-year strategies to address what they describe as a 'public emergency'.

The strategies were produced by the four statutory boards in CIOS with responsibility for community safety, safeguarding adults and children, health and wellbeing, and the associated organisations represented by these boards.

The organisations say they are determined to make a real sustainable change by working together to improve services and people's lives.

Cllr Carol Mould, Portfolio Holder – Community Safety, Cornwall Council, said:

"Our ambition is for Cornwall to be a place where abuse and violence are not tolerated, where everyone can expect equality and respect, and live free from fear.

"We aim to strengthen our approach to prevention; increase access and support for victims and survivors; improve the justice response and extend our behaviour change work for those displaying abusive behaviour; and work together to ultimately, reduce the prevalence of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and violence against women and girls."

Publication of the strategies comes following a particularly harrowing three years for adults and children affected by domestic abuse, sexual abuse/violence, and violence against women and girls.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced people into lockdown, a situation that domestic abusers used to intensify or conceal their abuse, coercion, and control. This effectively created a 'shadow pandemic' that exacerbated pre-existing abuse and violence.

The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy is the first of its kind to be published by the CIOS boards and is a direct response to what they believe is a public emergency.

Cllr Thalia Marrington, Chair of VAWG cross-party working group, Cornwall Council, said:

"Acts of violence against women and girls (VAWG) are interconnected and part of a spectrum of violence underpinned by inequality, male power, and control. Each act reinforces that VAWG is a 'normal' experience tolerated by society.

"Alongside the strategy, we have a cross-party working group to confront the patriarchy, sexism, and misogyny endemic in our society and culture; to raise awareness and to get everyone involved in ending male violence against women and girls."

Both the VAWG strategy and the new Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) strategy aim to take a preventative approach by challenging societal causes of abuse and tackling root causes through education, awareness, and early identification and support.

The whole community approach strives to promote better knowledge and understanding of abuse, support healthy relationships and tackle the attitudes and beliefs that underpin DASV and VAWG.

The strategies focus on:

• Prevention and education.
• More support for survivors and better access to it.
• More collaboration between organisations to share knowledge and expertise.
• Raising awareness so people in our communities are better informed and can spot the signs of abuse.

Cllr Andy Virr, Portfolio Holder – Health and Wellbeing, Cornwall Council, said:

"Joining up on strategy and services will make a difference for residents across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The impacts of domestic and sexual abuse and violence against women and girls are great – for individual survivors and their families and children, and for our wider society including the costs of health, police, and other service responses. It is imperative we promote a person-first approach and strive for a healthy Cornwall in every way."

In the autumn, a conference is planned in Cornwall to promote the strategies and celebrate the best, innovative practices from around the county.