Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a serious and ongoing issue that affects our communities. This covers many different types of harmful behaviour, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, controlling behaviour, and harassment or intimidation in public and online.

Following a Full Council motion(External link) in December 2024, we committed to creating ways to reduce VAWG in the borough. This work includes the development of a dedicated VAWG strategy and support for a Women’s Night-Time Safety Charter.

To ensure our efforts were effective and met resident needs, we launched a comprehensive consultation to gather diverse experiences and priorities from across Maidstone. This crucial feedback is now being used to inform our Community Discussion on VAWG, helping to shape concrete, resident-led recommendations for the Council and our partners.

Consultation Highlights

Thank you to everyone who participated. With over 1,200 responses across both the adult and youth surveys, the feedback provides a detailed evidence base for the next stage of this work.

Adult Survey Insights

• Daily Impact: 71% of residents have changed their routines or taken personal precautions to protect their safety.

• The Digital Threat: Nearly three quarters of residents identify technological and online abuse as a significant concern.

• Direct Experience: A substantial number of respondents shared personal experiences of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, highlighting the importance of a dedicated strategy.

Youth Survey Insights

• Harmful Content: 74% of youth respondents have encountered online content that promotes gender inequality in relationships and society.

• Safety Awareness: While 62% of young people are concerned about being a victim of online violence, only 15% currently recognise technological abuse as a form of Violence Against Women and Girls.

• Precautionary Steps: Nearly a third of youth respondents have altered their daily habits or used safety tools to feel more secure.

What Happens Next?

The consultation officially closed on 25 January 2026. We are now moving into the Community Discussion phase, where your feedback will be put into practice.

• Selection & Onboarding: We received a significant number of applications to join the discussion group. Participants are currently being selected to ensure a range of voices take part, and onboarding is underway in partnership with Involve UK.

• Community Sessions: Sessions are scheduled to begin on 28 February. Throughout March, this group will meet to examine the survey findings and hear from a range of experts. Their work will result in a set of clear, resident-led recommendations for the Council and its partners to take forward.

You can find out more about the event here: Help shape a safer Maidstone | Involve 

These sessions represent a vital step in ensuring our VAWG strategy is shaped by the lived experiences of Maidstone residents, leading to direct action across the borough.

Stay Updated

This project is an ongoing commitment to the safety of women and girls in our borough. We will provide regular updates as the deliberation group progresses and the final strategy begins to take shape.

To ensure you are notified about the outcomes of these sessions and future opportunities to contribute to this work, please sign up to our consultation mailing list.