16 Nov 2022

Roundtable Summary: Delivering the Digital Strategic Intent for Tackling VAWG

8 November 2022 saw the launch of techUK’s partnership with Policing to deliver their digital agenda to prevent and tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG). The launch of this work took place via a virtual roundtable with members and national VAWG Policing leads, with an exciting announcement involving a newly formed techUK VAWG Digital & Tech Working Group. Full recording available.

The roundtable welcomed over 60 attendees across the techUK membership and Policing. We heard from Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, VAWG Taskforce lead who outlined the purpose of the strategy, work of the taskforce and progress to date. She then introduced guest speaker, Zara McDermott, who fronts 3 (and soon to be 4) BBC documentaries investigating areas such as revenge porn, online abuse, sexism and rape culture in UK schools. Zara, as a victim of online abuse and trolling, spoke about her own experiences and her work to reinforce the importance of safeguarding everyone online.

We then heard an outline of the VAWG digital strategic intent (DSI) from Giles Herdale, NCA TRACER, which also included a call to action from industry to step up via the new working group being established by techUK.

Giles broke down the 3 pillars included in the DSI and how Policing and industry need to work together to:

Create a single online reporting route for violence against women and girls, which enables victims to report and to access the support they need, when they need it.
Adopt, adapt and create products that develop a digitally competent, confident and capable workforce in order to relentlessly pursue perpetrators and protect victims.
Make offender-hostile online environments, working with tech providers to design out VAWG in online spaces and for the tech industry to support upstander not bystander behaviour.

The session then opened for a Q&A and discussion which included the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), College of Policing and VAWG force leads. This also included hearing from the Police Digital Service, their work and how VAWG ties in with the digital evidence project and programme focusing on tackling rape and serious sexual offense (RASSO).

If you want to hear more about techUK's working across the VAWG programme, please reach out to the team using the details below.

Cinzia Miatto

Programme Manager - Justice & Emergency Services, techUK

Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.

The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.

Prior to join techUK, Cinzia held positions within the third and public sectors, managing international and multi-disciplinary projects and funding initiatives. Cinzia has a double MA degree in European Studies from the University of Göttingen (Germany) and the University of Udine (Italy), with a focus on politics and international relations.

Email:: [email protected]

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Ella Gago-Brookes

Team Assistant, Markets, techUK

Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.

Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.

In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.

Email:: [email protected]

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Georgie Morgan

Head of Justice and Emergency Services, techUK

Georgie joined techUK as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager in March 2020, then becoming Head of Programme in January 2022.

Georgie leads techUK's engagement and activity across our blue light and criminal justice services, engaging with industry and stakeholders to unlock innovation, problem solve, future gaze and highlight the vital role technology plays in the delivery of critical public safety and justice services. The JES programme represents suppliers by creating a voice for those who are selling or looking to break into and navigate the blue light and criminal justice markets.

Prior to joining techUK, Georgie spent 4 and a half years managing a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) in Westminster. She worked closely with the Metropolitan Police and London borough councils to prevent and reduce the impact of crime on the business community. Her work ranged from the impact of low-level street crime and anti-social behaviour on the borough, to critical incidents and violent crime.