Police and Crime Commissioner's Column: No place for violence - our collective responsibility
Last year, more than 7500 cases of domestic abuse and more than 1600 serious sexual offences were recorded in Bedfordshire. We are confident that this figure is, regrettably, an underestimate. Behind these numbers lie real lives—lives marked by fear, harm, and loss.
We cannot, and must not, turn away from this dark reality.
In November and December, we mark the “16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence” international campaign. It reminds us that freedom from violence is a fundamental human right. It is not mere symbolism—it requires all of us to act.
Prevention must be our priority. We must change mindsets and behaviours. Men specifically must challenge misogyny and the culture and behaviours that underpin it. We must educate boys how to respect girls and women, and they must never be misogynistic.
This requires a whole system approach. This requires collaboration between the police, local authorities, schools, the NHS, and other partners including specialist voluntary and charitable organisations.
I commission and grant aid to specialist organisations to provide refuge, counselling, and advocacy, alongside programmes that address the root causes of abuse and support long-term recovery. This includes trauma-informed therapy for women, safeguarding and welfare advice to strengthen independence, and support programmes to counsel perpetrators and to change their behaviours to reduce re-offending.
I am particularly pleased that together with Mary Seacole we are introducing a pilot scheme to relocate perpetrators of domestic abuse. Doing this means female victims and their children don’t have to be removed from their family home.
Prevention should be at the forefront of our approach, and we must also relentlessly enforce the law and bring perpetrators to justice.
Bedfordshire Police takes male violence against women and children very seriously. There are specialist teams, and all officers and staff are trained to recognise, understand, and empathise when faced with these crimes.
The specialist police officers are supported by expert victim support teams and expert intelligence officers and analysts. They work closely with partners outside the police.
Violence in all its forms has no place in our homes, or our communities. Across Bedfordshire, we must all commit to confronting Violence Against Women and Girls wherever and whenever it shows its hideous face.