Working with vulnerable women
Women more commonly experience domestic abuse and sexual violence in their lives than men. Limited housing options makes it more difficult to escape abuse. It is important to consider the intersectional experiences of women, including sex, gender, disability, ethnicity, sexuality, and experiences of violence.
Finding yourself in a vulnerable position can happen to anyone at any time, whether through loss of financial security, employment, relationship status, bereavement, health and wellbeing or other circumstance. Vulnerability for women can present differently than for men.
Violence against women and girls can take place within the home and within the community. Violent acts themselves can incur short-and-long-term impacts on women’s physical health with all forms of abuse and harassment impacting women’s emotional health. Women disproportionately bear the burden of sexual violence and domestic abuse nationally, and in Torbay.
Extrapolating from national data, we estimate that around 552 women aged 16 – 59 years in Torbay were victim of rape or assault by penetration (including attempts) between March 2017 and March 2020 [6] [7]. Of these, around 348 (63%) of these women are likely to have experienced mental or emotional problems as a result [8]. Women have also reported having to take time off work, losing their job, or being forced to give up work, and trying to kill themselves because of being a victim of rape or assault.
Difficult relationships, especially those involving coercive behaviour, and dealing with home and family pressures contribute to poor mental health in women. 59% of respondents identified violence and abuse as a top issue, surpassing money worries, loneliness, hormonal health, and work or exam pressures [9].
Torbay suicide coroner audit findings: 42% of women who died by suicide in Torbay (2018-2022) were noted to have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, or childhood abuse in their lifetime.
Torbay’s commitment to protecting women and girls in our community is seen in two multi-agency strategies: the Serious Violence Strategy and Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy. These pick up the dangers for women and girls within their homes and within their communities, often at the hand of male members of these homes and communities. The Torbay Safeguarding Children Partnership reinforces these efforts by overseeing key processes including the prevention of exploitation of children and young people.
In recognition of sexual violence such as this is not being confined to women in any specific age groups, in 2020, a website called Everyone’s Invited, was launched. This allows people to anonymously log their experiences of sexual harassment and assault within education settings. This site includes logs for Torbay primary and secondary schools for alleged incidents.
Safer Torbay Serious Violence [10] Strategy has noted for the Torbay community:
– Stalking & Harassment incidents increased by 12% within 2021/22 compared to the previous two years. Trend indicates incidents within 2022/23 will increase by approximately a further 8%.
– Devon and Cornwall Police were involved in 2,148 separate serious violence incidents occurred across Torbay (April 2019 to October 2022)
– 1,841 of these incidents identified an offender/suspect responsible for the incident.
– 70% of offenders were male.
Following an analysis of data in respect of youth violence in Torbay key points have been determined:
– Higher rate of violent offences per 1000 population in Torbay than the national average and
– A higher rate of hospital admissions than national averages, due to violence, including sexual violence.
Torbay Domestic Abuse Headlines [11]:
– 2,005 police incidents of domestic abuse in Torbay (2020/21).
– Domestic abuse accounts for 22% of all crimes in Torbay.
– 24% of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) related crimes are for stalking and harassment.
– 72% of victims reporting to the police over the past 3 years have been female (2018-21)
– 84% of domestic abuse offenders were male (2020/21)
– 63 Victims of domestic abuse were placed in homelessness temporary accommodation (2023/24)
– Estimated only 33% of people experiencing DVA in Torbay are known to services.
Sexual harassment and online sexual abuse:
Includes being sent unsolicited explicit sexual material and being pressured to send nude pictures (‘nudes’)
90% of girls said being sent explicit pictures or videos of things they did not want to see happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers [12].
“Girls told us that sexual harassment and online sexual abuse, such as being sent unsolicited explicit sexual material and being pressured to send nude pictures (‘nudes’), are much more prevalent than adults realise. For example, 90% of girls … said being sent explicit pictures or videos of things they did not want to see happens a lot or sometimes to them or their peers. Children and young people told us that sexual harassment occurs so frequently that it has become ‘commonplace.’16
In recognition of sexual violence such as this is not being confined to women in any specific age groups, in 2020, a website called Everyone’s Invited, was launched. This allows people to anonymously log their experiences of sexual harassment and assault within education settings. This site includes logs for Torbay primary and secondary schools for alleged incidents.
Of 200 already homeless households in Torbay, between January and March 2022, 20% of these households lost their last settled home due to domestic abuse [13]
Many women have told us that because of domestic abuse they have had to choose between living in poor accommodation or returning to their perpetrator. The difficulties are exacerbated by having to navigate a complex local housing situation, which is also in crisis. While housing is an issue across the UK, Torbay is facing a particularly severe shortage. Torbay Council declared a housing crisis in 2021 [14]. The rate of homelessness in Torbay is over twice the national average [15] [16]. Given the increased likelihood of women also removing children from violent domestic situations, this housing crisis is particularly felt by women and children, exacerbating vulnerability.
Support systems for women are crucial, providing much needed assistance and advocacy. Often the support being sought is within a single-sex safe community. Examples of available support are the housing and cost of living surgeries have been set up within Family Hubs to improve access to housing support and early help for families. Also, to help women eat healthily Ladies Lounge have investigated support for women on how to make meals more nutritious when you only have a kettle.
Recommendation:
Commit to actions which raise awareness of Domestic and Sexual Violence and directly address of the impact of domestic abuse on women who experience it.
[6] population_torbay_2018.pdf (southdevonandtorbay.info)
[7] Sexual offences prevalence and victim characteristics, England and Wales – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
[8] Nature of sexual assault by rape or penetration, England and Wales – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
[9] https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2024/03/08/violence-and-abuse-are-driving-mental-illness-in-women-and-girls–psychiatrists-warn
[10] Safer Torbay Serious Violence Strategy 2024/29 – Torbay Council
[11] Breaking the Chain Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy
[12] OFSTED, Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges June 2021
[13] Housing in Torbay (southdevonandtorbay.info)
[14] Empty Homes – Torbay Council
[15] Housing in Torbay (southdevonandtorbay.info)
[16] Housing Strategy 2023 to 2030 – Torbay Council
