A panel of women who are survivors of domestic violence, or other forms of gender-based violence, are working with Croydon Council to help address Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the borough.

The Expert by Experience Panel gives survivors a platform to share their insights, contribute towards policy development and ensure Croydon’s work to tackle gender-based violence and abuse is led by the people with lived experience.

Thirteen women volunteered for the project and met for the first time this week. They had an opportunity to discuss the issues with Executive Mayor Jason Perry, who made tackling VAWG a key priority in the Mayor’s Business Plan 2022-26.

Karen Kelly, who is a survivor, has joined the panel of women, who are from a wide variety of communities. She said: “It is really important to have the voices of victims and survivors on the panels where decisions are being made because unless you have been through it, you will never completely understand it.”

She added: “The more we can get a voice out there for women and girls who are victims of abuse, whether that’s domestic violence or other violence, the smaller the circle of opportunity for the perpetrators becomes.”

Violence against Women and Girls is one of the most significant crimes in Croydon that harms many residents every year. The Council provides support through the Family Justice Service (FJS), which handles 1,500 referrals a year. The FJS also trains more than 200 practitioners a year at partner organisations, in how to identify domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Croydon launched its first VAWG delivery plan last year, which sets out how it will improve services and address the barriers that prevent women accessing them. Read the report here.

The success of the plan is dependent on working with partners, such as residents, the police and community groups, on early intervention – by providing information and support before violence escalates.

Working with survivors was a key pledge in the plan and is being delivered through the Expert by Experience Panel.

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “It was a privilege to meet the members of our new Expert by Experience panel and to hear about their experiences and the barriers that might prevent people from seeking support.

“In Croydon, we believe every woman and girl has the right to live free from violence and fear. We are working closely with our community partners and residents to make this a reality.

“Having the voices of victims and survivors inform our decisions and services is a key part of our VAWG delivery plan and we are very grateful to all the panel for giving their time and support to this initiative.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

For support or guidance about domestic abuse, contact the Family Justice Service (FJS) via the council website.