Birmingham City Council will tomorrow host a summit to launch its new VAWG Strategy, uniting partners to set the direction for prevention, safety and support across the city.
Running from 9am to 1pm at the Library of Birmingham, the summit will bring together leaders from policing, education, health, community organisations and specialist services.
The summit’s central purpose is to present Birmingham’s VAWG Strategy and shape the delivery plan to be taken forward by partners throughout 2026 and beyond. The summit also aligns with national goals for a whole‑of‑society approach to tackling VAWG, reflecting the government’s cross‑department strategy focused on prevention, tackling root causes, and long‑term cultural change. The national plan highlights the ambition to halve VAWG within a decade, supported by early intervention and strong partnership action.
Key features on the day, include an interactive session focusing on how local organisations can collectively drive the cultural and systemic changes needed to prevent abuse and support victims, and a showcase of the innovative work already underway across the city, including:
- A briefing on the Winter of Action programme, which is tacking violence in our city centre.
- Active Bystander Training, equipping residents to safely intervene when they witness concerning behaviour.
- Project KAIA, a partnership between West Midlands Police and the FA promoting women’s safety through football.
- Supporting safer travel through digital tools such as the WalkSafe app.
These examples represent strong multi‑agency practice, echoing national expectations that local authorities lead coordinated, cross‑system responses to VAWG.
Councillor Tennant Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said: “Violence against women and girls has no place in our city, and Birmingham will lead with absolute determination to prevent it. This strategy is not just another document, it is a commitment to real and measurable change.
“We are bringing everyone together to prioritise prevention, strengthen support for victims, and challenge the behaviours and structures that enable harm. Our message is clear: Birmingham will not tolerate violence or intimidation in any form, and we will work relentlessly with our partners and communities to build a safer future for every woman and girl.”
