Merseyside Police’s work to tackle violence against women and girls will be scrutinised at a public meeting today.
Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell will quiz Chief Constable Rob Carden on the force’s approach to protecting women and girls from violence.
It comes days after hundreds of people gathered in Liverpool for a Reclaim the Night march outside St Luke’s Bombed Out Church to call for more measures to protect women from violence.
Marchers then gathered in Derby Square to hear speeches from the organisers.
Holly Thompson, Deputy President of Liverpool Guild and organiser of the event said: “There has clearly been a big increase in misogyny and sexism. I feel like this issue is constantly pushed to the bottom of every political agenda.
“I think everybody being here tonight is saying that although we want safety to be made a priority, we deserve to be safe, it’s not a privilege to go out on the streets and be safe.”
Ms Thompson has called for more people to call out misogyny and sexism when they spot it.
She is also demanding stronger legislation for gender based violence to be punished more harshly.
Today’s scrutiny meeting comes as Ms Spurrell marks three years since the release of her region-wide partnership plan to tackle violence against women and girls.
Ms Spurrell said: “Far too many women still face harassment, abuse and misogyny in their daily lives – on the streets, on public transport and in public spaces.
“This is completely unacceptable. We must challenge the behaviours that cause fear and harm.”
Last week, a report into the murder of Sarah Everard found that there were ‘major gaps’ in the police’s approach to gender based violence.
Ms Everard was kidnapped, raped and murdered in 2021 by then Met Police Officer Wayne Couzens, who is currently serving a life term.
Etienne Lewis-Jarvis, Vice President of Community and Wellbeing at JMSU explained what she felt needed to happen.
She said: “Just actually listen to women. You know our needs, I want to actually see them in place, also calling out sexist jokes and misogyny.”
The PCC scrutiny meeting will be streamed live at 12:30 on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.
