On Monday 3 November 2026, Oxfordshire County Council passed a motion on violence against women and girls (VAWG), proposed by Councillor Kate Gregory and seconded by Councillor Paul-Austin Sargent.

I was honoured when Cllr Gregory asked me to second her motion. It was not a difficult decision. Violence against women and girls is a national emergency — and it demands exactly the kind of cross-party, cross-society response that a council motion can help to catalyse.

The full wording of the motion, as passed by the council, is set out below.

a) Violence against women and girls (VAWG), including domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control and online abuse, remains widespread.

b) Online platforms can contribute to misogyny and enable new forms of abuse.

c) Women from minority ethnic communities, LGBT+ women and younger women can face higher levels of abuse and barriers to support.

d) A recent HMICFRS inspection found that Thames Valley Police must improve investigations and safeguarding, including concerns about the lack of a dedicated rape investigation unit and the allocation of rape and serious sexual offence cases to officers who are not always appropriately qualified.

a) Everyone has the right to live free from fear, abuse and violence.

b) Violence against women and girls is a national emergency requiring action across society.

c) Victims and survivors must have confidence that crimes will be investigated thoroughly and professionally.

• Reaffirm its commitment to tackling VAWG and supporting prevention, safeguarding, education and services for victims and survivors.

• Request that the Leader write to the Home Secretary and Oxfordshire MPs calling for stronger national action to prevent and tackle VAWG, including a sustained behaviour-change campaign to challenge misogyny, promote healthy relationships and prevent violence against women and girls — comparable to campaigns on drink-driving, smoking and seatbelt use.

• Request that the Leader write to the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner seeking assurances that shortcomings in rape investigations, specialist resources and officer accreditation are addressed urgently.

The following is the speech I delivered to Council when seconding the motion.

Chair,

I am pleased to second this motion.

Violence against women and girls is not a marginal issue. It is a reality that affects families, workplaces, schools, communities and lives across Oxfordshire and across the country. Behind every statistic is a person whose freedom, confidence and sense of safety has been taken away.

The motion rightly recognises that violence against women and girls takes many forms. It includes domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control and, increasingly, online abuse. Technology has brought many benefits, but it has also created new opportunities for intimidation, exploitation and the spread of misogyny. No woman should have to alter her behaviour, limit her opportunities or live in fear because of the actions of others.

It is also important that we acknowledge that these experiences are not felt equally. Women from minority ethnic communities, LGBT+ women and younger women can face particular risks and additional barriers when seeking support. If we are serious about tackling violence against women and girls, our response must be inclusive and ensure that everyone can access the help they need.

This motion is not only about prevention; it is also about justice. Victims and survivors must be able to trust that when they come forward, they will be listened to, believed and supported, and that allegations will be investigated thoroughly and professionally.

That is why the concerns raised by the recent HMICFRS inspection of Thames Valley Police are so significant. Public confidence depends on victims knowing that specialist expertise is available and that serious offences, particularly rape and serious sexual offences, are investigated by appropriately trained and accredited officers. We owe it to survivors to seek assurances that these shortcomings are being addressed urgently.

I particularly welcome the call for stronger national action. Society has successfully changed attitudes and behaviours before. Campaigns on drink-driving, smoking and seatbelt use have transformed public norms. We need the same level of ambition to challenge misogyny, promote respect and healthy relationships, and make it clear that violence and abuse against women and girls are never acceptable.

This motion sends a clear message: Oxfordshire stands with victims and survivors, supports prevention and education, and expects action from those with responsibility for keeping people safe.

I therefore urge members to support this motion and help ensure that violence against women and girls receives the priority, attention and action that it so clearly deserves.

I commend this motion to Council.

Cllr Kate Gregory brought this motion forward with clarity, courage and conviction. I am proud to have seconded it, and I hope the letters from the Leader to the Home Secretary and to the Police and Crime Commissioner carry the full weight of a council that has spoken with one voice.

Paul-Austin Sargent is the County Councillor for Banbury Grimsbury & Castle. Contact him at paul-austin.sargent@oxfordshire.gov.uk or via the contact page.