Subject: VAWG

Why This Matters

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) includes a wide range of harmful behaviours—from harassment and controlling behavior to sexual assault and domestic abuse. These issues don’t just affect adults—they can impact our students directly or indirectly. Schools, families, and communities all play a part in keeping our young people safe and informed.

What to Be Aware Of

While young people may not always speak up, there can be warning signs that something is wrong:

• Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or language

• Withdrawing from friends or activities

• Obsessive use of phones or secretive behavior online

• Dressing differently due to fear or peer pressure

• Expressing fear or anxiety around certain people

Talking to Your Child

Open, respectful conversations at home can make a big difference. Try:

• Asking open questions about friendships and relationships

• Talking about respect, consent, and healthy boundaries

• Exploring how social media and peer pressure can influence behavior

Educating Our Young People

Eggbuckland is committed to:

• Teaching about healthy relationships, consent, and equality

• Supporting student-led initiatives to challenge sexism and harmful behaviours

• Ensuring all students know how and where to report concerns safely

Support & Reporting

There are a number of organisations that can help if you are, or have been, impacted by Violence Against Women and Girls including domestic abuse or sexual violence:

• Trevi is a local charity offering a range of support for women. The Sunflower Centre offers a safe space for women to receive support and connect with other women. It offers a wraparound therapeutic service for any woman in need in the City. This could include: addictions, mental wellbeing, health, criminogenic behaviours, domestic abuse and social isolation. Every year, Sunflower supports and empowers more than 700 local women, many with complex needs and experience of trauma and abuse.

Should you, or someone you know, need help and support please contact: Sunflower Women’s Centre, Telephone: 01752 977614, email: office@trevi.org.uk

• Sanctuary provide domestic abuse services for adults in Plymouth via the Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service (PDAS). This includes practical, non-judgemental support, advice and protection for all victims of domestic abuse. PDAS provide support for individuals and families in the Plymouth area, including confidential advice, one-to-one and group support sessions. 0800 4582 558

• Refuge national domestic abuse helpline provides 24/7 support and advice for women experiencing domestic abuse including support to find refuge accommodation and link in with local services. 0808 2000 247

• Women's Aid provide support for women and children at risk of or having experienced domestic abuse. The website includes a live chat function.

• The Bridge Project are a local partnership of specialist charities that support adult and child survivors of sexual violence and abuse. They provide the Independent Sexual Violence Advisory (ISVA) service across Devon and Cornwall. Their ISVAs are specially trained and independent from the police and other services.

• First Light is a charity supporting adults and children in Plymouth as well as Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire who have been affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. First Light is independent of statutory agencies, including the Police, and every year they help thousands of adults and children in the South West to lead safer lives, free from violence and abuse. They provide the Plymouth Sexual Violence Therapy and Counselling Service.

• Devon Rape Crisis provides free and confidential sexual violence support. Their confidential helpline and email support services are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6pm to 9pm on 01392 204 174 or support@devonrapecrisis.org.uk.

• Rape Crisis National Helpline operates 24/7 providing support for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence – at any point in their life. This includes people who have experienced sexual violence or abuse themselves, as well as their friends, family or anyone else who is trying to support them. 0808 5002 222

• The Survivor Pathways offers services for people who have survived non-recent rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse (Regional).

• Intercom Trust is an LGBT+ led charity, proudly working to improve wellbeing and inclusion across the South West. They have specialist domestic abuse workers in Devon and Cornwall. Call: 0800 612 3010

• Barnardo's Exceed Service | Barnardo's (barnardos.org.uk) The service works to tackle child exploitation across Cornwall and Devon. And support young people aged 8-18-years old and up to 25 for care experienced young people and those with additional needs. Call: 01752 256339

• Olive Project provide specialist support to black and minoritised victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. You can access support via email through their website or by calling 07990858510 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

• Clare’s Law, also know as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), is a police policy giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse. The scheme is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009. It was formally rolled out in England and Wales in 2014, following the landmark campaign led by Clare’s father Michael Brown. Find out more from Devon and Cornwall Police.

Together, We Make a Difference

Preventing violence against women and girls starts with awareness and action. Let’s work together to create a safe, respectful environment—both in and out of school.

If you have any concerns or want further guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.