I am dedicated to dismantling the culture of violence against women and girls, ensuring their safety everywhere through allyship and reclaiming safe public spaces.
Vote 2nd May 2024
Real Change, Honest Leadership, Safer Dorset.
Over 300 sexual violence crimes are committed in Dorset every year. That’s nearly 1 a day. 85% of victims are women.
Only with a new culture of zero-tolerance to any forms of gender and sex-based threats and violence can women and girls as well as our LGBTQI+ residents be safe in Dorset wherever they are. With the police leading culture change from the very top, women can be assured that the root causes are being addressed, however hard.
Women in particularly vulnerable circumstances like hospital, prison, refuges or living with known domestic violence are at much higher risk of harm.
With a new priority focus on scrupulous risk assessment and exemplary safety planning, women can increasingly know that, when they are in those circumstances, they will be guaranteed protection and safety.
Nearly 8,500 domestic abuse crimes were reported in Dorset in 2023. But only 7% resulted in a charge or summons.
With absolute confidence in police responses and total assurance of protection and support, women can feel better able to report abuse and seek safety. With support from specialist workers, women can be more confident that more perpetrators will be prosecuted.
Perpetrators of a first sexual or domestic abuse crime, if not stopped, can go on to offend again causing more and more harm.
By only using programmes that are known to work, and a new culture of prioritising behaviour change programmes after first offences, women can be confident that, in Dorset, they are safe from an escalation of harm.
Evidence shows that women and girls experience bias and discrimination when they are involved in arrest and prosecution proceedings.
With a better understanding of discrimination, and staff equipped to recognise and challenge bias, everyone can have a fair experience – particularly when proceedings involve sexual violence, domestic abuse and families. And that means that all women are more likely to report abuse early and with confidence of a fair hearing.
Most perpetrators of domestic violence are partners or ex-partners and there are places where these crimes take place more than others. In Dorset, we know where they are and likely profiles of offenders.
With better perpetrator profiling, early intervention support, and a culture of risk assessment, research and learning, women can be reassured that everything possible is being done to protect them from the harm of repeated domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Since the death of Sarah Everard women have lost trust in the police. Distrust makes everyone less safe.
With new relentless scrutiny of officers and the involvement of the public in recruitment and performance reviews, women can start to rebuild trust in a force designed to protect them and their families. When the police get this right for women, everyone is better off.
Two-thirds of police officers experience mental health distress as a result of their work, but 93% will work anyway in order to serve the public.
With investment in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of officers, we can all be confident that our police are fit and well enough to carry out their duties to protect us and our families.
British policing is based on consent, meaning the ability of the police to carry out their functions rests on ‘public approval of their existence, actions and behaviour’.
With a solid commitment to be honest, transparent and consistent with reporting of crime, women, other marginalised groups and victims of crime can trust what we are being told and rebuild confidence that we and our communities are safe.
Vote on 2nd May 2024
Real Change, Honest Leadership, Safer Dorset.
Higher Police Visibility,
Safer for Women & Girls,
Supporting our Young People.
2nd May 2024 Election
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner 2024
#realhonestleadership
