A commission set up by Plymouth City Council in the wake of the murder of Bobbi-Anne McLeod has published its first report, which outlines 15 recommendations to make the city safer for women and girls.
The UK’s first Violence Against Women and Girls Commission was established in January 2022 by the city council with the aim of challenging misogynistic behaviour in Plymouth and challenging male violence against women and girls.
The new report commits Plymouth to being a city that does not tolerate sexist or misogynistic language and behaviour. It also recommends supporting men and boys to be ‘active bystanders’ who feel confident to challenge inappropriate behaviour and language.
The Commission was made up of experts, including specialists in domestic abuse, health improvement and child protection, and key city partners, including Devon and Cornwall Police, Plymouth University, Plymouth City Council, Westcountry Schools Trust, Plymouth Live, Plymouth Women in Business and Plymouth CityBus.
In addition, former chief crown prosecutor for NW England, Nazir Afzal, worked alongside the Commission as an independent advisor.
The Commission considered evidence from over 1,300 local people. Members also spent over 40 hours listening to feedback from 33 individuals or organisations, and reading dozens of written submissions from those who work with victims.
The Commission’s chair, Cllr Rebecca Smith, said: ‘Whilst Plymouth has seen a number of horrific and high-profile crimes against women over the past twelve months – violence against women and girls happens on a daily basis. Be it in an email or text, verbally or sadly physically. We can’t stand by and do nothing. We must tackle male violence against women and girls at the root.
‘I have been overwhelmed by the amount of evidence that was put forward to the Commission. We heard from women who have been subject to harassment or abuse at work, on social media, in the street or at home.
‘Our recommendations are not a quick fix. But they mark the start of a journey that says “enough is enough”.’
Nazir Afzal added: ‘The City of Plymouth has had more than its fair share of violence against women and girls this past year and the terrible crimes are a reflection of the journey that all of us are on to eliminate these harms.
‘The Commission is a bold and brave development, and its findings and recommendations are in many respects ground-breaking, but they are all evidence-based responses to the significant challenges that we face. At its heart is the understanding that we can’t just repeat the same mistakes and that we must address the causes and not just the consequences.
‘Plymouth knows eliminating violence is everybody’s business and this report is the beginning of that journey.’
