Camden focuses on prevention and early intervention to end violence against women and girls
(Trigger warning – this article mentions topics that some may find distressing).
At tonight’s Full Council meeting (13 July), the council led a debate to shape the next phase of Camden’s urgent work preventing violence against women and girls – focusing on early intervention and holistic support for survivors.
The debate included councillors, residents, and representatives of community groups and local organisations who support women and girls in the borough – including Women at The Well, Tender, Hopscotch, and the Camden Women’s Forum.
As part of the council’s ongoing commitment to making the borough a safer place for women and girls, Camden is set to launch its first standalone Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for 2026 to 2030. This sets out clear actions and Camden’s approach to preventing violence, strengthening early identification, improving support for survivors, and holding perpetrators to account.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic abuse, exploitation, and faith or honour-based violence. Camden's VAWG Assessment found that one in four women in the borough is likely to experience domestic abuse during her lifetime, underlining the importance of continued action to prevent abuse and support survivors.
In the strategy, violence against women and girls is addressed as a serious public health issue. It highlights domestic violence as a significant local issue, but also the need to prevent and respond to other forms of harassment and violence which are often underreported.
Co-developed with survivors and key community partners, the council’s approach takes any responsibility away from women and girls to change their behaviour, and more towards preventative work to ensure the borough is a safe place for women and girls to thrive, without fear of harassment or abuse. This includes equipping staff across services and partner organisations to spot warning signs earlier, while also working with the police, schools, and youth settings to change perpetrator behaviour and promote healthy relationships.
The debate re-affirmed five key priorities within the strategy, setting clear actions to bring meaningful change:
• Prevention, through a public health and life-course approach that challenges harmful attitudes and behaviours
• Earlier identification and support, strengthening professional responses across services
• Holistic support for adult and child survivors - including housing, mental health and recovery
• Holding perpetrators to account, through a whole-system approach that centres survivor and child safety
• Working in partnership, strengthening coordination across the Council, partners, communities and survivors.
Camden has a longstanding commitment to stopping the epidemic of violence against women and girls in our society and making our borough safer for everyone. We have heard from survivors about the devastating and long-lasting impact of different types of harassment and abuse, and we’re taking action to break down barriers and ensure every survivor can get the support they need – from mental health, to housing and family support.
Our focus is to stop this behaviour at its root cause. We must take the onus away from women and girls to change their behaviour, and work with our community partners to prevent abuse, step in when warning signs appear, and change harmful attitudes at an early stage.
We know there is much work to be done, and we will continue to keep survivors’ voices at the heart of everything we do. If you or someone you know is affected by harassment, violence, or domestic abuse - please remember you are not alone and we are here to help.
The Strategy builds on Camden's longstanding investment in tackling violence against women and girls, including specialist support services, partnership working and workforce training to strengthen the identification of abuse and support for survivors. This includes new training and policies to help council housing staff recognise signs of abuse to signpost survivors to any support they may need.
Other work to tackle violence against women and girls includes Camden’s ‘Call It Out’ sexual harassment campaign, encouraging bystanders to safely take action if they witness an incident of sexual harassment or assault.
How to report - Camden Safety Net
Camden Safety Net is the council’s domestic and sexual violence advocacy service which provides support to thousands of survivors, including access to mental health services, legal advice, and employment support.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please know there is support available. Call Camden Safety Net on 020 7974 2526. You can also call the National Domestic Helpline 24/7 on 0808 2000 247. If you are in an emergency, please call 999.