College of Policing’s VAWG conference attracts over 200 delegates from every force
More than 200 officers and police staff from across England and Wales will meet to discuss changing police culture for tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
A national conference organised by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) which focuses on VAWG has attracted a wide range of influential speakers.
Representatives from across the policing spectrum will attend a two-day event in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry from 15-16 May 2023. The aim of the conference is to improve internal culture and conduct and help force professional standards leads share innovative learning and practice.
Since the creation of the joint College/NPCC Violence Against Women and Girls taskforce 18 months ago, policing has worked hard to develop and implement national and local action plans to address the issue. The second VAWG conference aims to build on this work and demonstrate policing’s increased commitment to ensuring the service maximises its approach towards VAWG through knowledge sharing.
Superintendent Manjit Atwal QPM, Head of Delivery for Violence Against Women and Girls at the College of Policing and a speaker at the conference, described the response within policing for the conference as ‘outstanding.’
She said: “A lot of hard work has been done in preparation by colleagues at the College to attract representatives from every force. We’ll also have specialist speakers and over 200 delegates who are highly motivated to tackle difficult questions and share best practice.
“We’ll be examining culture within policing so police forces can stand jointly together and openly discuss what works and what doesn’t.
“It’s only by being reflective and not passive we can change some of the culture within policing, and this conference represents another small step in the right direction.
“It’s an outstanding response to an extremely important issue and demonstrates how VAWG is near the top of every force’s agenda, and we are making tangible progress.”
Agenda sessions include Chief Constable Andy Marsh, CEO at the College of Policing, analysing culture, while the joint event will be opened by DCC Maggie Blyth, NPCC Lead for VAWG.
Delegates will hear from Lincolnshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable for Crime and Specialist Operations, ACC Chris Davison, and West Midlands Police’s CC Craig Guildford.
Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales will also be contributing, as well as CC Gavin Stephens, Surrey Police and NPCC Chair.