To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council.
Minutes:
The Leader wished to make a statement on domestic violence, as follows:-
‘Members and Officers, I want to present some statistics that may or may not surprise you.
A woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK.
A Crime survey that took place in England & Wales in the year ending March 2022 stated 194,683 sexual offences were recorded in the year March 2021-22, of which 70,333 were rape offences. I repeat, 70,333 rapes per year, that’s 5861 per month, that’s 195 per day, that’s eight rapes per hour.
So, whilst we sit here tonight and debate various topics, I think you will agree those statistics are terrifying, even more so if you’re a female.
Rape or assault by penetration (including attempts) since the age of 16 years: 63% of victims in England and Wales reported mental or emotional problems and 10% reported they had tried to kill themselves. In addition, 21% reported taking time off work and 5% reported losing their job or giving up work. But more alarming is what’s the true figure as this is based upon reported crimes. How many crimes go unreported??
This is simply not acceptable, and change needs to happen quickly.
As a father of two daughters and a grandad to a 5-year-old girl, these figures concern me. As leaders within our communities, we should be looking to challenge this behaviour and engage in ways that make women feel safe in their homes, in our open spaces and in our towns when they are enjoying a drink with their friends or simply at work.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence is an annual global campaign that begins on 25 November, which is incidentally the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
The campaign is supported by the United Nations through the Secretary General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women initiative. This year’s theme is UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.
Therefore, I'm pleased to inform you all that #jointhechorus is scheduling a march for this coming Saturday, 9th December, starting at 6.30 pm, meeting on the corner of Northfield Avenue and Meadow Road, Kettering.
The march is non-political and is an opportunity for local communities, individuals and partner organisations to come together and peacefully protest against gender-based violence.
It will also provide a safe space for survivors’ voices to be heard, as well as an opportunity to remember all women who have tragically lost their lives at the hands of a violent partner.
The event starts with a 20-minute walk within the vicinity of Kettering Town centre, which has an active night-time economy. This will be particularly relevant as it will reinforce the message of every woman’s right to be kept safe and feel safe, whether they are travelling at night, working in the night-time economy or enjoying a night out. The walk will be led by Dawn Thomas (CEO of Northamptonshire Rape Crisis) and Emily Fedorowycz from NNC.
This will then be followed by a programme of speakers in the Market Place from countywide support services, survivors of domestic abuse, music performances and a vigil event to remember the Northamptonshire victims of male abuse. I’m sure this event will be inspiring, thought-provoking and moving.
The event is the result of some incredible partnership working over the past few months. The individuals and organisations who have supported the planning and delivery are clearly passionate about this issue and driven to improve women’s safety and stop the cycle of male abuse.
I want to acknowledge and extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has played a role in making this a reality so I’m going to announce some of the partners who are:-
We can do better, we need to better and we need to protect our females in society.
Thank you Chair.’