Violence against women and girls explained
Violence against women and girls is 'violence that is directed at a female because she is a female or that affects women disproportionately.'
Each year across the UK, three million women experience violence and there are many more women living with the legacies of abuse experienced in the past.
In the UK, violence against women and girls includes: domestic violence, rape and sexual violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, crimes in the name of honour, trafficking, prostitution, stalking and sexual exploitation; and is mostly committed by men that women know, men that women are currently in a close relationship with or men that women were in a close relationship with.
Although women and girls are mainly the victims of these crimes, statistics show that violence against men is increasing by women perpetrators and within same-sex relationships. Salford specialist services support all victims of these crimes.
See what the government are doing to combat violence against women and girls.
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Forced marriages
Forced marriage is a term used to describe a marriage in which one or both of the parties are married against his or her own will.
A forced marriage differs from an arranged marriage, in which both parties consent to the assistance of their parents or a third party (such as a matchmaker) in identifying a spouse, although the difference between the two may be indistinct.
Contact the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) if you’re trying to stop a forced marriage or you need help leaving a marriage you’ve been forced into.
Contact the FMU
Guidelines for professionals protecting, advising and supporting victims
The FMU has published a set of multi-agency practice guidelines for frontline professionals to help them to work more closely together and to identify and protect children and adults at risk of forced marriage.
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Modern slavery and human trafficking
Modern Slavery is the term used within the UK and is defined within the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Act categorises offences of slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.
The Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Unit (MSHTU) works to combat modern slavery, you can find out more about the MSHTU.
The gov.uk website has a modern slavery section that brings together documents and promotional material related to the government’s work to end modern slavery.
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Prostitution
The act of offering one's self for hire to engage in sexual relations either by one own free will or coerced into it, is termed as prostitution.
Most people who become prostitutes do so because they were forced or coerced by a pimp or by human trafficking, or, when it is an independent decision, it is generally the result of extreme poverty and lack of opportunity, or of serious underlying problems, such as drug addiction, past trauma (especially child sexual abuse) and other unfortunate circumstances.
Prostitution can have a far reaching impact for many communities and many people, sometimes with tragic consequences.
They will often need help and support to overcome addictions to drugs and alcohol and to leave prostitution. There is also the problem of sexual exploitation of children and its serious long term effects for the victims. In addition, local communities can suffer damage and the lives of local residents can be severely affected by prostitution.
Find out about the Achieve Salford Recovery Services
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Sexual violence
Sexual violence includes a range of different behaviours, many of which, such as sexual assault or rape, are crimes.
Rape and sexual assault are crimes, whether or not they take place within marriage or between partners or ex-partners.
If you have experienced rape or sexual assault, you can get assistance from the St Mary's sexual assault referral centre by contacting them on 0161 276 6515.
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Stalking
Stalking is one of the most frequently experienced types of abuse and contrary to common belief, most stalkers are former partners or friends of their victims.
Contact the police if you’re being stalked - you have a right to feel safe in your home and workplace.
Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Call 101 if it’s not an emergency.
Support organisations
For further guidance or information please visit the Stalking helpline website or ring 0808 802 0300 or email advice@stalkinghelpline.org.
You can also contact:
You can contact Victim Support Service to find local help and support.
Anonymous registration for electoral roll
Victims of stalking and domestic violence can benefit from legislation which is designed to protect people at risk if their details appear on the electoral register. Those at risk can apply to their local authority in England and Wales to be registered anonymously while still being able to vote.
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