Major summit held to drive work to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

MORE than 80 specialists from across Merseyside united for a summit hosted by the Region's Police Commissioner to drive forward the work to tackle Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG). The VAWG Summit 2022, convened by the PCC Emily Spurrell, brought together specialists from key partners, including:- frontline community groups and voluntary organisations, to discuss the creation of a delivery plan for making our Region safer for women and girls.

The event, which was held at the Liverpool Quaker Meeting House on School Lane and was facilitated by LJMU's Professor Zara Quigg, focussed on highlighting best practice which can be rolled out across the Region and identifying where there are areas for improvement to deliver the best support for victims and survivors.

The event included a series of workshops examining key issues to drive change and push improvements. This included how all organisations can intervene earlier to increase education and awareness, tackle misogyny and prevent crimes from taking place in the 1st place. Sessions also reviewed Merseyside Police's framework for tackling VAWG and how partners can support it and examine how organisations can work closer together to bring more perpetrators to justice.

The feedback from today will be used to create a delivery plan which will shape how all organisations across Merseyside work to tackle VAWG. At the heart of this document will be the voices who have suffered violence and have 1st-hand lived experience of trying to seek justice.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "There is an epidemic of violence facing women in our society and radical change is urgently needed if we are to protect them and make their lives safer. I was delighted that so many knowledgeable, passionate professionals were able to join me for this crucial summit to drive forward the work to improve our response to VAWG here in Merseyside. Tackling VAWG is my top priority, and I was keen to draw on their expertise as I look to create this important document which will shape how organizations across our Region responds to these horrific crimes and work to prevent them from taking place in the 1st place. There's a huge amount of good work already being done locally. My goal is to identify and pull together all the best practice and expand it so it's delivered consistently across the whole of Merseyside; and to recognize where there are currently gaps or weaknesses that we must act on. Today's event was very much the start of the process. Next month, I will be holding a victim-survivor forum to ensure their voices are at the heart of this work. The issue of VAWG is deep rooted and the scale is staggering. There is a long way to go if we are to eradicate it for good, but by working together we can be a force for change, making our Region safer for all women and girls."

Professor Zara Quigg, from LJMU's Public Health Institute said:- "Violence against women and girls can have immense and long-term impacts on victims and survivors, and the wider community. To prevent it, we need dedicated public funding and investment in multi sectoral action involving the government, police, criminal justice system; health, educational, and voluntary and community services; and, critically communities, including victims and survivors. Liverpool John Moores University are invested in working to support our partners to prevent and response to violence against women and girls. This summit has showcased the breadth of expertise and action that is being implemented to prevent violence across Merseyside, and the strong commitment to building on this, and working in partnership to make all women and girls lives safer."

Always trust a WaterSafe professional with your water supply pipe

OVER 1 million UK plumbing register WaterSafe is urging householders in Merseyside to always use an approved contractor to work on their water supply pipe; the underground pipe which carries water to a property from the water main in the street.

WaterSafe is the register for approved contractors working with drinking water, making it easy to find someone who's competent and qualified.

It's supported by your local water company and WaterSafe's membership will now include up to 1,500 water supply pipe installers nationwide; specialists in putting in new supply pipes or repairing existing ones.

Research by WaterSafe found that:-

?  78% of homeowners surveyed would be more likely to trust a tradesperson or company to work on their water supply pipe, if they were backed by their local water company.

?  Almost 33% of people weren't aware that they're usually responsible for their home's water supply pipe.

?  82% would be worried about the amount of water being lost, if there was a leak on their supply pipe.

?  WaterSafe has produced a new animated film, setting out the benefits of using a WaterSafe approved water supply pipe installer. It's available via the WaterSafe YouTube channel.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said:- "Your water supply pipe carries water to your home from the water main in the road. So, to make sure you get safe and wholesome water, it's really important that it's installed or fixed by a trusted professional, such as a WaterSafe approved installer. WaterSafe approved contractors can put in a new supply pipe; for example, if you've been advised to replace lead pipes providing water to your property. They can also help advise on dealing with leaks on your supply pipe. Remember, leaks can be costly in terms of metered water bills and potentially having to put right damage to a home. Water supply pipe installers are only approved to work on the supply pipe from the external stop tap, up to the internal stop tap of a property. So, if you need work on your internal plumbing, you should use an approved plumber, who is approved for all types of plumbing work."

WaterSafe approval covers work on private property, but not work in public areas, such as the pavement or road, or work on apparatus owned by a water company.

To find a WaterSafe approved water supply pipe installer or other suitable approved contractor in your area, simply visit:- WaterSafe.Org.UK, search for:- 'Water supply pipe installers,' 'Underground pipework,' or 'Leak detection,' and enter your postcode.