Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many regional outreach teams will be established under the VAWG Taskforce, and what criteria will be used to determine their deployment across the UK.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones
The Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce will address the cultural and behavioural drivers of unacceptable sexual behaviour, particularly against women, within the Armed Forces. Based on sites with significant training footprints, teams will work with local military training, welfare and other partners to design and test early intervention initiatives targeted at trainees, supporting the highest behavioural standards from the outset.
The Taskforce is being introduced in phases to deliver quickly and iteratively. Phase 1 locations are HMNB Devonport (South West) and Catterick Garrison (Yorkshire and the Humber). Locations were selected to maximise impact across major training sites. Phase 2 locations will be RAF Halton and British Forces Cyprus, providing Tri-Service coverage. Future sites will be determined through ongoing data analysis. All Phase 1 Taskforce posts have now been filled and onboarding is underway, with teams expected to be fully operational this year.
In parallel, the central Defence team is advancing wider victim survivor support measures, including launching the Independent Legal Advocacy Pilot.
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