Tackling violence towards women a priority, police say

Det Insp Huw Williams said the taskforce's findings on gender-based violence were "eye-opening"

Tackling violence against women and girls in Jersey is a priority for police, a senior officer says.

It comes after a report found "most women" surveyed had experienced at least one form of sexual harassment in their lifetime.

Det Insp Huw Williams, from States of Jersey Police, said parts of the report were "incredibly sad to read".

He said the force was initially responding by increasing the presence of officers in certain areas and looking at its internal processes.

The report, produced by the Independent Taskforce for Violence Against Women and Girls, is based on research from the general public as well as the opinions of young people, professionals and victims.

Nearly all those who responded to the survey had experienced at least one form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, while one in four said they had experienced rape or attempted rape.

Mr Williams, who was on the taskforce, said violence against women and girls made up nearly a quarter of all crime reported on the island every year.

He said the taskforce's findings were "stark" and "eye-opening" even in that context.

"There are parts of the report that are incredibly sad to read," he said.

"How do I want the women and girls in my life to lead their lives?

"Not in fear of [their] safety, not in fear of crime."

He said police would be increasing their presence in "hotspots" identified by respondents.

The police force would also be looking at its internal processes to "demonstrate we live up to our code of ethics" and show victims they could have confidence in police to investigate crimes and follow through to court, he said.

"We've got to hold people accountable - to show this subject isn't just a flash in the pan," he added.

"We've got to start challenging and calling out this culture because the driver of violence against women and girls is gender inequality."