The Safety of Women and Girls

West Yorkshire is home to over 1.2 million women and girls, and as the first elected female Metro Mayor, their safety is at the heart of my work across policing, crime, community safety, and criminal justice, as detailed in my Police and Crime Plan 2021-24.

Recent events show the increasing crisis around this area and why it is more important than ever that we work together to tackle the causes of violence against women and girls. We will do everything in our power to keep women and girls safe, creating and enhancing safer environments, whether this is on the streets and public spaces of West Yorkshire or in the private sphere. We are also doing more to tackle sexual violence and domestic abuse through challenging those who wish to harm others and making sure support is there for all in need.

Abuse is deep-rooted in gender inequality and subconscious biases which have developed over generations. It occurs irrespective of class, ethnicity, faith, sexuality, or where you live.

The following page sets out my work and that of key partners to make West Yorkshire a safer place for women and girls.