Violence Against Women and Girls

Violence Against Women and Girls: From Deliberation to Action

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) remains a serious and ongoing issue affecting communities across the borough. It includes a wide range of harmful behaviours, such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, coercive and controlling behaviour, and harassment in both public spaces and online environments.

Following a Full Council motion in December 2024, Maidstone Borough Council committed to strengthening its response to VAWG. To ensure this work reflects the lived experiences and priorities of residents, we undertook a borough-wide consultation and a community deliberation programme.

You can find the full results from the public consultation on this page, located in the top right under Lifecycle.

Community Discussion - Completed

Between 28 February and 21 March 2026, residents took part in a four-week community discussion focused on VAWG. This process brought together a diverse group of participants to explore the issue in depth and develop practical, resident-led recommendations.

Participants engaged with evidence from the public consultation and heard from leading experts in the field, including Jess Phillips MP (Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls), Professor Fiona Vera-Gray (London Metropolitan University), Tim Woodhouse (Kent County Council), Leyla Buran (Centre for Protecting Women Online), Dr Stephen Burrell (Melbourne Research Alliance), and many more.

Through structured sessions, participants examined root causes, explored local challenges, and worked collaboratively to identify clear actions for the Council and its partners to take forward. This included conversations on topics such as public spaces, social media and online safety, the consequences of abuse, identity and culture, accessing services, and education.

What Happens Next

The deliberation has now finished, and the final report and recommendations are being prepared.

• The final report will be presented to Cabinet in June 2026.
• Following this, a multi-agency VAWG Action Group - including the Council and key partners - will take forward the recommendations.

This marks a shift from engagement to delivery, ensuring that resident voices are translated into action.

Addressing VAWG is a long-term priority. This work does not end with the deliberation - it establishes a foundation for continued collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, and community involvement. We will continue to provide updates, work with partners to deliver coordinated action, and explore further opportunities for community-led engagement.

Stay Updated

To receive updates on the VAWG strategy, recommendations, and future opportunities to get involved, please sign up to our consultation mailing list.