Government news and campaigns 

Domestic abusers face crackdown in a raft of new measures

Yesterday the government announced a raft of new measures, including that domestic abusers will face tags and tougher management under new measures to protect women and girls.

The new proposals go further than ever before in protecting women and girls from harassment, aggression and violence, and focus on stopping domestic abuse before it takes place. The Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) scheme, delivered in partnership with Hestia’s Safe Spaces, has also expanded to 18 jobcentres and Jobs and Benefits Offices across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

They have also launched a new postcode checker tool where you can search for your nearest provider at https://enough.campaign.gov.uk/get-support/ask-for-ani

More information on the measures is available here.

Angiolini Inquiry consultation – deadline 12pm Friday 24^th February

The Angiolini Inquiry has launched a consultation to seek public views on policing, police culture and the protection of women in public spaces. The consultation has been launched here and it is open to the public. Other accessible formats are available on the website here.

The consultation will close at 12pm, Friday 24^th February. You are also welcome to share the link to the consultation with your networks.

Voter registration

As you may be aware, the Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This new requirement will apply for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023. Anyone who does not have an accepted form of photo ID will be able to apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.  

The Electoral Commission has created a partner pack for organisations in England. It’s designed to help raise awareness, support people to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate if needed, and includes information on voter registration.

What you’ll find in this pack:   

• A guide for organisation’s staff and volunteers   
• A booklet and A5 summary ‘insert’ for voters   
• Posters   
• Digital resources, including social media graphics, template social copy and web and newsletter content   
• Other resources, including template press releases and resources for organisations working with specific groups 

Please share this pack with your networks.

New UK support to provide emergency education to 20 million children in crisis

New UK funding for Education Cannot Wait (ECW) will provide safe learning spaces, teaching materials and support for world’s most vulnerable children.

Read more about this here.

Government acts to stop drug deaths
The Home Office announced on Feb 3^rd that 11 synthetic opioids will be banned in the UK in order to stop lethal drugs claiming more lives.

In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that £53m will go to 28 local authorities in England to provide housing support to people in drug and alcohol treatment. The funding strengthens our government-wide commitment to reducing drug use and improving treatment outcomes, as part of the drug strategy.
  
Better protection for rape victims from invasive record requests
 
Sarah Dines, the Safeguarding Minister, announced on January 20^th that victims will be better protected from invasive requests for personal records, including during rape investigations. Read more on this story on here.

Home Office has published standards for interventions with perpetrators of domestic abuse

The Home Office commissioned Durham University’s Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse and London Metropolitan University to develop evidence-based standards for interventions with perpetrators of domestic abuse. 

The report, published January 9^th, includes evidence-based standards, overarching principles and practice guidelines for commissioning and delivering interventions for perpetrators of domestic abuse.

New fire safety regulations come into force

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are now law from January 22^nd and form part of a package of sensible, risk mitigating fire safety measures that the government is delivering following the Grenfell Tower fire to keep the public safe.

Government-funded programmes reduce serious violence

Eighteen areas of England and Wales most blighted by violent crime have been receiving targeted funding for the past three years, to increase police patrols in crime hotspots and provide more support to at-risk young people.

Read more on this here.

Stakeholder news and campaigns

Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Suzy Lamplugh Trust, theUK’s pioneering personal safety charity and leading stalking authority, is running a campaign for National Stalking Awareness Week which is fast approaching on 24-28^th April. This year the theme is young people. Suzy Lamplugh Trust has put out a survey to the wider public to gather responses on young peoples’ experience of being stalked. The survey is for people aged 16-24 years old, about 5 minutes, closes on Feb 27^th and is available here.

Respect UK

Respect UK ran a campaign on twitter for Valentine’s Day, asking people to reflect on their behaviour by taking an anonymous #AskYourself quiz. Almost 300 people completed it and reflected on their behaviour in their intimate relationships. Read more on the results here.

Stakeholder surveys and campaigns

If your organisation has any upcoming surveys or campaigns you’d like us to highlight in our weekly newsletter, please get in touch with the External Affairs team at [email protected]