Abuse survivors to help shape Wiltshire Police approach to VAWG
A new independent advisory group has been created
Wiltshire's police force is turning to the public to keep improving it's approach to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
An independent advisory group (IAG) has been created to observe how policing is carried out in the county.
The group will provide feedback from the local community on new initiatives and hear from survivors of abuse.
IAG's have existed for some time within policing but VAWG lead, DCI Lucy Thorne, told Greatest Hits Radio she wanted a dedicated group to improve the Force's service to victims of violence.
She said it's vital they get feedback from the local community: "We can take things for an independent view because we might think great idea but we want that independent view from our community.
"Ultimately we want to hear from the community. Is it a good idea? What do you think we could do differently?"
DCI Thorne added that the group will be able to share how ideas may be perceived by the public, as well as bringing new ideas to the table and giving survivors a voice too.
"With the make up of the group, we've got an opportunity to actually speak to survivors and have them consult on new policies and procedures as well," she said.
It's hoped the group can continue building the growing confidence around reporting domestic abuse crimes through an improved police service.
DCI Thorne said: "If we improve our service to victims of violence against women girls, we're going to increase confidence around reporting, which means that that's somebody that may have been suffering domestic abuse for years that haven't hasn't felt confident to come to us before, it might make that change to that person.
"It might make them feel I want to come to the police and do that which which in turn hopefully will help detect more victims."
She added that the opinion of the public 'really matters to us' and it's critical that our thoughts are heard as the Force can't do it alone.
"We need to find out where we need to improve, what we're doing well and this group really gives that independent opportunity to test those new ideas out."
People can become part of an Independent Advisory Group with the Police here, with the Force calling for more young people and people from minority backgrounds to join.