Standing Together to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

Last week, we had the privilege of attending the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls Annual Conference, bringing together police leaders, safeguarding professionals, policymakers and frontline practitioners from across the country. It was a powerful reminder that tackling Violence Against Women and Girls is not a side initiative or a standalone campaign. It is a national priority that demands coordination, consistency and long-term commitment.

From the moment the conference began, there was a clear and shared understanding in the room. The scale of the challenge is significant. The impact on individuals, families and communities is profound. But equally evident was the determination to respond with urgency, intelligence and compassion.

A National Plan with Real Intent

One of the most encouraging aspects of the day was hearing more about policing’s national plan to address Violence Against Women and Girls and domestic abuse across the UK. This is not simply about increasing enforcement. It is about transforming systems, improving early intervention, strengthening partnerships and ensuring victims receive consistent, high-quality support wherever they live.

Speakers explored how forces are working to improve investigation standards, enhance victim engagement and prioritise repeat perpetrators. There was discussion around the use of data to identify patterns of harm earlier, and the importance of ensuring that responses are trauma-informed and centred on the lived experience of victims.What stood out most was the recognition that public protection must sit at the heart of modern policing. Tackling VAWG is not confined to specialist teams. It requires a whole-system response, embedded across operational, strategic and community-facing roles.

The Power of Collective Responsibility

Conferences can sometimes feel procedural. This one did not. The tone was thoughtful, honest and grounded in reality. Speakers did not shy away from acknowledging the complexity of the issue or the work still to be done. Instead, there was an openness about learning, adapting and improving.
The shared sense of purpose in the room was tangible. Professionals from different regions, disciplines and backgrounds came together not in competition but in collaboration. That matters. Violence Against Women and Girls cannot be reduced through isolated action. It requires joined-up thinking between policing, technology providers, charities, local authorities and community organisations.

When those conversations happen in the same space, progress accelerates.

Strengthening Support Through Technology

Alongside the formal sessions, we had the opportunity to speak with a number of Police Forces about how Hollie Guard can further strengthen support for vulnerable people in their communities.

These conversations were practical, focused and forward-looking. Forces are increasingly exploring how technology can complement frontline policing by offering preventative tools and faster response mechanisms. The role of personal safety apps in safeguarding has evolved significantly over the past decade. They are no longer seen as standalone digital products. They are part of a broader public protection ecosystem.

Hollie Guard’s core purpose has always been to provide reassurance and real-time protection. Features such as discreet alerts, automatic evidence capture and location sharing are designed to ensure that when someone feels unsafe, they are not alone. For policing partners, the value lies in visibility, early escalation and the ability to respond quickly when it matters most.

What was particularly encouraging was the appetite among forces to explore how digital tools can integrate more seamlessly with existing systems and safeguarding frameworks. There is growing recognition that prevention, intelligence and victim confidence are interconnected. When people feel supported, they are more likely to report concerns earlier. Earlier reporting leads to earlier intervention. And earlier intervention saves harm.

Listening to Lived Experience

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of listening. Listening to survivors. Listening to communities. Listening to frontline officers who see patterns emerging before they appear in formal data.

Effective change does not happen through policy alone. It happens when systems are shaped by those who understand the reality on the ground. Several speakers highlighted the need to ensure that reforms are informed by real stories and not just statistics.

This focus on lived experience reinforces why partnership matters. Technology providers, charities and policing professionals must work in alignment with those they aim to protect. Tools and strategies should be built around the needs of victims, not the convenience of systems.

Building Safer Communities Together

Beyond the keynote sessions, one of the most valuable aspects of the day was the informal conversations between sessions. Being surrounded by professionals who care deeply about protecting those at risk was both motivating and reassuring.

There is often heavy public scrutiny on policing and safeguarding. While accountability is essential, it is also important to recognise the scale of dedication across the sector. The individuals we met were thoughtful, proactive and genuinely committed to building safer communities.
Violence Against Women and Girls is not an abstract concept. It represents real harm experienced by real people. Addressing it requires more than statements of intent. It requires sustained action, cross-sector collaboration and the courage to adapt when something is not working.
Events like this conference provide the space for that reflection and recalibration.

Looking Ahead

We left the conference feeling both energised and realistic. Energised by the level of commitment and the progress being made. Realistic about the scale of the challenge ahead.

There is no single solution to ending Violence Against Women and Girls. Progress will be incremental. It will require persistence. But there is momentum, and that momentum matters.

For us, being part of these conversations is not about visibility. It is about responsibility. As a technology partner working in public protection, we recognise the importance of aligning with national priorities and supporting forces with tools that are reliable, accessible and designed around user safety.

We are proud to stand alongside policing, safeguarding professionals and community organisations in the shared effort to reduce harm and increase protection. Every improvement in response time, every strengthened partnership and every individual who feels safer because support is within reach represents meaningful progress.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls will not happen overnight. But through collaboration, innovation and unwavering commitment, we can continue moving in the right direction.

And that shared determination, evident throughout the conference, gives real reason for optimism.