What is violence against women and girls
The term violence against women and girls (VAWG) refers to acts of violence or abuse that we know disproportionately affect women and girls.
Useful numbers
Surrey domestic abuse helpline
01483 776822
9am to 9pm, 7 days a week
provided by yourSanctuary
Surrey Police
999 (emergency)
101 (non-emergency)
Crimes and behaviour covered by this term include rape and other sexual offences, domestic abuse, stalking, so-called honour based abuse (including female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and honour killings), as well as many others, including offences committed online.
Male violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a consequence of deep rooted, harmful, societal and cultural beliefs about gender roles, and gender identities. This is a result of global gender inequality.
Damaging messaging of binary masculine and feminine identities, are maintained by our institutional and cultural structures in society, and it will take a whole system approach to dismantle these structures, to ensure VAWG is eradicated.
While we use the term violence against women and girls, throughout this strategy, this refers to all victims and survivors of any of these offences.
- So called honour based abuse and forced marriage
- Rape sexual abuse and exploitation
- Stalking and harassment
- Female genital mutilation
- Digital and online abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Forced or coerced prostitution
- Human trafficking and modern slavery
- Child abuse
- Forced or coerced pornography