Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 15, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 9.1 The Director of Integrated Commissioning, and the Director of Customer Experience and Communities submitted a report presenting an update to the Committee on activities taken across the last year by the Council and a wide range of other statutory and voluntary sector partners to tackle Domestic and Sexual Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls. Representatives of such partners (Wayne Grocott - Cranstoun, Katie Lewis - IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) and Diane Johnson – South Yorkshire Police) attended the meeting and outlined details of the activities that they are involved with in tackling these matters.   The report also updates the Committee on the Council’s progress in implementing its Commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign and seeks approval to apply for reaccreditation to the Campaign when the current accreditation period expires.     9.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) note the range of activities and challenges presented in the Domestic and Sexual Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Annual Report and the White Ribbon action plan update report;       (b) thanks the range of statutory and voluntary sector partners and other stakeholders who together help us, as city, address the harms caused by domestic and sexual abuse and violence against women and girls;       (c) reaffirm the Council’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls; and       (d) approves the application for Sheffield Council to reaccredit with the national White Ribbon Campaign.     9.3 Reasons for Decision     9.3.1 Domestic and sexual abuse, and violence against women and girls, has a huge impact on the lives of individual victims, families and wider society.  Sheffield has a proud history of tackling the problem, challenging perpetrators and supporting victims.     9.3.2 Continuing the commitment to deliver on the aims and principles set out in the new Strategy will mean the Council will be playing a significant leadership role in the city.  Working across the Council and with a range of city stakeholders, together we can continue to tackle violence and abuse and help make lives better for victims and their families.     9.3.3 The Council has repeatedly reaffirmed our Commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign through motion to full Council, and seeking reaccreditation with the campaign is in line with this commitment.     9.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     9.4.1 The Council could decide to allow our accreditation with the White Ribbon Campaign to lapse.   However, doing this would contradict the commitment made to tackle violence against women and girls and the affirmation of this through the Council motion.  It would also mean the efforts and resources committed to the campaign so far would be wasted.