BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has vowed to take action to end domestic abuse and male violence against women.

The council has recently achieved White Ribbon Accreditation, which demonstrates its continued commitment to addressing inequality and, in particular, end male violence against women and girls.

At a full council meeting in October 2021, councillors unanimously agreed to achieve the accreditation and undertook a review of domestic abuse services in the borough, along with speaking to users of these services, domestic abuse survivors and the wider community.

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At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 8 cabinet member for partnerships Jenny Vaux said this review identified areas of good practice, gaps in provision and policy and a series of strategic objectives and recommendations.

Speaking of the accreditation, she said: “It is a testament to the borough's culture to be caring and respectful of each person, whether a resident, councillor or employee, that this achievement is a natural progression building on work already underway in the borough to address inequality and community safety.”

Cllr Vaux told the meeting that societal attitudes need to change so that women and children feel safe and free.

In a speech to the cabinet, Cllr Vaux said: “Men's violence towards women is routed in gender inequality and as a society, we have taken great strides to address inequality and diversity.

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"As a woman I celebrate that I have had so many more choices, freedoms and opportunities that my mother did not have, and I acknowledge all those people over the years who have sacrificed and campaigned to bring these changes about, however, we are not there yet. White Ribbon tells us that one in three women still experience domestic violence.”

She added: “Any situation where men and boys feel safe, women and girls should also feel safe, we all have a responsibility and a part to play in creating environments where women and girls can live the lives they want to lead without fear of violence.”

The councillor said that the community must not forget that men also experience domestic abuse, adding that the council has a “broader strategic objective that seeks to end violence in all of its forms and supporting anyone who is affected by it”.