Richmond Council launches bold strategy to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls

Today, Richmond Council unveiled a comprehensive three-year strategy (2025-2028) to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The launch coincides with increased national focus on VAWG and recent reports calling for stronger, coordinated action from local and national government. Richmond's strategy provides a local framework that amplifies survivors’ voices, strengthens partnerships, and addresses the root causes of abuse and violence for women, girls and minoritised gender identity groups.  

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: "This strategy marks a renewed commitment to making our borough safer through action. By working with our partners and putting survivors at the heart of our approach, we will tackle the attitudes, systems, and behaviours that enable abuse to persist. We will ensure our borough is a place where women and girls are not only safe but feel safe."

The strategy outlines a clear and coordinated approach across four priority areas, ensuring stronger local action to protect, support and empower women and girls in the community. 

The four priority areas are:

• Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours
• Early Identification and Intervention
• Providing Safety and Support
• Holding Perpetrators to Account

"While Richmond upon Thames is statistically the safest borough in London, we are clear that no level of violence against women and girls is acceptable. Behind every statistic is a real person whose life has been impacted, and we want to ensure that their voices are heard." 

The strategy recognises the complex and often hidden nature of VAWG and highlights how domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, exploitation, and harmful practices can occur in every community.  

Richmond Council’s White Ribbon Champion, Councillor Katie Mansfield, added: "We know that violence against women and girls doesn’t happen in isolation – it stems from a culture of inequality and silence. This is why our strategy focuses on challenging the everyday attitudes and beliefs that lead to the normalisation of abuse, and on engaging the whole community to be part of the solution."

"We all have a part to play in ending violence against women and girls, so whilst we put this strategy into action, I urge everyone in our borough to take a stand."

Read Richmond Council’s 2025-2028 VAWG strategy.

Find out more about Richmond Council’s VAWG initiatives.