Healthy relationships lessons in schools in Cornwall to take early action against misogyny
The Safer Cornwall Partnership says it is part of its work to tackle violence against women and girls
Last updated 8th Oct 2021
Healthy relationship lessons in Cornish schools will be used to take early action against misogyny which could be linked to violence against women and girls.
Officers from the Safer Cornwall Partnership were asked by Cornwall councillors what was being done to address issues around misogyny which have recently been highlighted in a national debate about violence against women.
Councillor Dominic Fairman asked whether misogyny was something which was a focus of the partnership adding: "My concern is whether it is connected to our concerns about domestic abuse".
Domestic abuse and sexual violence is a key area for the Safer Cornwall Partnership and one of its top priorities in Cornwall.
Erika Sorensen, strategic intelligence manager for the Amethyst Community Safety Intelligence Team, said that it was something which had been discussed.
She said: "We were having a conversation about exactly this in the hate crime setting group yesterday and talking about how there has been some pressure in looking at it to add it as a type of hate crime.
"Gender is already a characteristic applied to hate crime but not misogyny specifically. It is a really important area in our domestic violence and sexual violence and the relationship between societal attitudes and violence against women and girls.
"It is important to challenge that attitude at a really early stage. Looking at healthy relationship lessons in schools at a very early stage to challenge those attitudes and behaviours that lead to violence against women and girls.
"That has been a priority for us for a long time but it is being talked about more and that helps us as it makes people more aware of it and helps us to address it".
Simon Mould, head of service for communities, also highlighted that Falmouth had received funding from the Safer Streets programme to help prevent violence against women and girls.
Falmouth is getting more than £33,000 which will pay for new CCTV cameras and to support a student-led group to raise awareness campaigns and training for people involved in the night-time economy.
Carol Mould, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "At a time when the safety of women and girls on our streets is in such sharp focus, this successful bid to the Government’s Safer Streets Fund is fantastic news for Falmouth.
"I look forward to working with our partners to ensure that this investment creates a lasting legacy and helps increase women and girls’ feelings of safety in our public spaces".