Melksham councillors lead campaign on violence against women and girls

A Powerful Debate in Council Chambers

On 21st July, Wiltshire Council formally backed a campaign calling for violence against women and girls to be recognised as a national priority. The initiative was brought forward by Melksham Forest councillor Jennie Westbrook and supported by Melksham East councillor Charlie Stokes. Cllr Westbrook explained that she launched the campaign after observing national trends and wanting to highlight that safety issues affect rural counties like Wiltshire just as much as big cities. She emphasised that almost every woman has a personal story or knows someone who has been affected by harassment, abuse, or violence. During the debate, several female councillors shared their personal experiences. Cllr Westbrook pointed out the everyday safety habits that many women and girls practice—such as holding keys between their fingers while walking, sharing taxi locations with friends, or sending “I’m home safe” messages. She noted that girls often learn these precautions long before starting secondary school.

Personal Testimonies and Building Support

The debate featured candid speeches from members of the council. Cllr Charlie Stokes spoke publicly about being a survivor of rape, sharing with the chamber that being believed and supported was the crucial first step in her recovery. Her speech was met with a standing ovation from fellow councillors. Cllr Stokes stressed that danger to women does not always come from strangers, but often from people they know and trust. She urged the council to create an environment where survivors feel confident that they will be heard and supported rather than ignored or doubted. The local campaign aligns with broader national concerns. The National Police Chiefs’ Council recently described violence against women and girls as a “national emergency” following a significant rise in offences recorded by police forces across the country in recent years.

New Actions and the Role of the Community

To ensure the issue remains a priority, Wiltshire Council agreed to appoint a dedicated “Member Champion.” This specific councillor will work alongside local services, police, community groups, and residents to drive safety campaigns, support survivors, and promote prevention efforts. Cllr Westbrook highlighted that tackling this issue requires involvement from everyone in the community. In particular, she called on men to play an active role in challenging harmful behaviours and working alongside women to make public and private spaces safer for everyone.

Key Takeaways: What Happens Next?

• Dedicated Leadership: A designated councillor champion will be appointed to coordinate safety initiatives across Wiltshire.
• Focus on Trust: Local services aim to ensure victims feel confident they will be believed and supported when coming forward.
• Community Action: The council will focus on prevention education and encouraging male allies to help challenge abusive behaviours.
• National Alignment: Wiltshire joins national efforts responding to police data that highlights violence against women and girls as a major public safety concern.

Civic Context Cheat-Sheet

> A councillor is an elected representative who speaks for people in their local area (called a ward) on council matters. A council motion is a formal proposal brought forward by councillors to be debated and voted on to decide official council action or policy.