Female victims of violence across Wiltshire urged to share their stories with police
The Force has launched its biggest ever public consultation with women and girls
Last updated 17th Mar 2022
Women and girls across Wiltshire, who have been victims of violence, are being urged to share their experiences.
Wiltshire Police has launched 'We are Listening', its biggest ever public consultation dedicated for females.
According to the Force, it wants to make "long-lasting improvements" to how it tackles abuse towards women and girls. The project aims to make tangible changes to the support received by victims.
Since Sarah Everard's tragic murder by a serving officer 12 months ago, violence against females has often been at the forefront of the national news agenda.
Officers in our county have called the incident a "watershed moment", recognising that work is needed to rebuild confidence in police forces nationwide.
'Broken trust in the police service'
Superintendent Sarah Robbins, who is leading 'We Are Listening' for Wiltshire Police, has spoken to Greatest Hits Radio.
"A member of our policing family had betrayed us in that way and breached the trust of every woman in this country in such an extreme way.
"I can understand why the communities and why the women out there in the UK now have that broken trust in the police service".
Watch the video below for further comments from Supt Robbins, speaking to our reporter Matt Hutchinson, about the Sarah Everard case:
According to Wiltshire Police, officers and wider society must both be proactive in forcing a culture shift, so fewer women and girls endure abuse in the future.
Having a young daughter herself, the subject is close to Supt Robbins' heart.
"I hope that we (Wiltshire Police) contribute to making this positive change, but it is bigger than the Force.
"We need to make society change, all of us, not just the police, everyone. So that in 20 years our daughters aren't still having these experiences, aren't still having to change their behaviour in the way that a man wouldn't, for fear of something happening to them,'" she added.
'Predatory behaviour'
Whilst at pains to stress that most officers don't behave in such a manner, Supt Robbins admits sexism and "predatory behaviour" is present within a minority of Wiltshire Police staff.
"The campaign that we're looking to run internally is saying ... 'If you are somebody who behaves like this (in a sexist way) there is no place for you within Wiltshire Police,'" she added.
Any Wiltshire residents wanting to voice their concerns can complete the 'We are Listening' survey now.