Police and partners on the Isle of Wight have been working together to better understand issues connected to male violence against women and girls, and take action against perpetrators.
Tackling this type of offending is a priority for Police on the Island, who are utilising a mixture of proactive operational policing, engagement, and intervention to deliver a robust response.
Patrolling officers will be focusing on spotting the signs and behavioural traits of potential offenders, particularly during the nighttime economy. This will also include plain clothes and unmarked vehicle patrols, looking to identify individuals at risk as well as perpetrators causing harassment, alarm, distress, or displaying misogynistic behaviour.
Police on the Island have also been working closely with the sexual violence and abuse support service Hampton Trust, who recently surveyed their service users on the Island. The survey focused on safety concerns when out in public, experiences of harassment and unwanted contact in the community, and individuals’ reasons for either deciding to – or not to – report their experiences to the police.
The Police licensing team, in partnership with Neighbourhoods officers and Isle of Wight Council, regularly visit pubs, bars and other venues on the Island to create a safer space for customers. Part of this work involves engaging with members of staff, including door staff, to help them spot the signs of someone who is vulnerable, being abused or in need of help, and provide venues with a toolkit so they can take practical steps to make a safer environment.
Superintendent Jim Pegler – District Commander for policing on the Isle of Wight – said:
“We want the public to have confidence in what we are doing not only as a police service but as a partnership to create safer spaces for people and tackle perpetrators of violence and sexual violence.
“The way we police the nighttime economy is changing, with an increased focus on identifying vulnerability and perpetrator behaviours. Sergeants are regularly briefing their teams to ensure they are spotting these behaviours, and anyone who could be at risk. The more we do to recognise and understand predatory behaviours and the signs of someone at risk, the better chance we have of protecting people.
Article continues below this advertisement “Our partners are taking similar steps too. In May this year, concerns were raised by door staff at Fever Nightclub in Newport to police about the behaviour of a man who was loitering near the club, before following a group of women. The man was already known to door staff for previous behaviours reported at the club.
“The staff on this occasion intervened and ensured the women were able to get home safely. We are grateful to them for taking this action. Police have subsequently served a Community Protection Notice Warning on this man. If his behaviour continues this will escalate to a Community Protection Notice, which can lead to an arrest if not complied with.
“Police are actively targeting offenders, and instances of formal action being taken by officers against perpetrators for serious sexual offences has increased by 25 per cent since 2019.
“We are encouraging people to please keep reporting all of these behaviours to us either by calling 101, by visiting www.hampshire.police.uk or calling 999 if you are in immediate danger.
“Sexual violence comes in many forms – it can be discomforting and sexualised commentary, unwanted advances, harassment as well as physical violence. If you experience any of these behaviours – whether this be while you’re out in the community, on a night out, at work, or indeed even in your own home, please tell us or tell a support service.
Amanda Gregory, chair of the Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership, said:
“The issue of sexual violence against women and girls has been longstanding, and we are hopeful that these interventions will help in raising awareness of a much needed culture change. It’s encouraging that so many businesses have been engaging with this work, which demonstrates a real community collaboration around this theme”.
For those seeking help and advice regarding sexual and domestic abuse …
Paragon is the commissioned Integrated Domestic Abuse, sexual violence, and stalking service on the Island and they work in partnership with The Hampton Trust to provide practical and emotional support to all victims, adults and children. For further information about the service or to make a referral visit: https://paragonteam.org.uk/
Paragon also provides The Dragonfly Project, which offers training for community members who want to offer signposting and support for people affected by domestic abuse. ‘Dragonfly Champions’ are trained to provide a listening ear and act as a link to domestic abuse support agencies so that people who are isolated have access to help. To find out more about the Dragonfly Project, visit: https://paragonteam.org.uk/dragonfly-project/
Target anyone not just men. A majority is not an excuse to ignore the hidden or not talked about abuse from women
where is the task force to target females that abuse men behind closed doors….the endless belittling, accusations, mental and emotional abuse, nagging, refusing to stop moaning and complaining when asked, goading the man to hit her, then crying to the police ….the list is endless, yet this misandry and domestic abuse is ignored
equality my a**e
This is not going to be popular!!
Domestic Violence works BOTH ways!
Why do the ‘headlines’ only ever talk about men against women?!
Sorry, it is an abominable thing to attack a woman, BUT!!!
It IS a two-way street.
In this modern world if ‘equality’ the Police should be tackling ALL domestic violence!
Why should we have confidence in a police force who are solely concerned with protecting one sex? What about protecting men from abusive women? What about protecting men from unwanted harassment by women? Oh no, why should men get any protection in life…
Let’s hope that more plain clothes officers are in clubs and pubs, as now with more newcomer here the scene has changed for the worse in recent years.
Often, the most forceful and aggressive males who continually pester stand out very clearly in a bar here on the Island where most drinkers are still thankfully indigenous.
That is not to say that local men can’t be pushy when drunken, but few plan to await a victim to harass and follow as the other type often working in pairs do.
It’s about time. Over the last couple of years I have heard a lot of young girls saying they’re being followed off of buses, through towns and leered at in a sexual way and even touched by men. I am frightened for my daughter when she is out and I shouldn’t have to be particularly in the early evening.
A white van pulled up as we were shopping together and this guy, who was with two other men, made it very clear he was looking in a sexual way toward her. He saw me give him a glare but stroked his beard in a horrible way as if to say yeah I’m after your daughter!! He was disgusting. I was so angry it was blatant harassment. Vile creature.
What about the woman bullying and beating MEN??
Grow some and walk
and Mrs T message validates the argument for a taskforce to end abuse against men – Mrs T insults and belittles a man on a public message forum for standing up to female abuse – the very definition and an example of what happens behind closed doors, yet done publicly.
YER…! AND SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR KIDS FOREVER,
Whilst they are trapped with some selfish skank for a mother.
Domestic violence is committed by women also. This also needs to be addressed and not over looked. I’m sure there are many men out there who are being mentally and physically abused.
I’ve known two friends that had tried suicide after their relationship had ended and the woman uses the children to hurt that man. In both cases the relationship just ended, neither did anything wrong. The men always paid their way. Yet the woman constantly plays games with access simply to cause pain to the man.
Yes, it happens without a doubt Fred. Women who behave like this a scheming, devious bitches!
This is a positive step forward in society. There seems to be a lot of men whinging ‘what about men’, please read the article, it’s about being safe out and about, this isn’t about ‘behind closed doors domestic violence’, that is something you can report to the police (though I don’t think ‘nagging’ quite qualifies). This is about having to be cautious and ‘street wise’ your entire life. Growing up from a very early age knowing that you are permanently vulnerable and a target for unwanted male attention, comments, touching, harassing. It’s relentless, until you get old and craggy. I’m glad to be old and craggy, it provides a freedom.
nagging does qualify – it is the constant verbal abuse aimed at a man and the refusal to stop nagging, that slowly erodes the mans ability to withstand it until one of a few things happen – either he dumps her and walks away, batters her senseless, then she plays the abused female card or kills himself.
Can we still obtain a scolds bridal off the shelf, Or are they custom made by our local blacksmith?
More men are attacked by other men than women. I suspect a lot of women are abused in some way and never report it. The people that do these things are the people that were the school bully. Time the schools step up and deal with violence instead of calling it bullying. It’s assault and should be treated as such.
so how does this work with the lady men or whatever they identify as?
Whilst this is admirable, According to statistics for 2018, (latest figures), 500,000 men suffered violence by a female spouse. This is just the reported cases. Men are far less likely to report and are far more likely to be arrested or removed from the property even if they are the victim. There are on 20 dedicated spaces for male domestic violence victims opposed to over 1700 spaces for women in England. 85% of people sleeping rough are men. The most common cause of male homelessness is relationship breakdown. It’s a shame there are few headlines highlighting this. Its true, more victims are female, BUT, the statistics are not 100% one way.