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:

  1. 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.
  2. Adopt, adapt and create products that develop a digitally competent, confident and capable workforce in order to relentlessly pursue perpetrators and protect victims.
  3. 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. 

Georgie Henley

Georgie Henley

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.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-henley/

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Georgina Maratheftis

Georgina Maratheftis

Associate Director, Local Public Services, techUK

Georgina is techUK’s Associate Director for Local Public Services

Georgina works with suppliers that are active or looking to break into the market as well as with local public services to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local public services and supplier community to horizon scan and explore how the technologies of today and tomorrow can help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face and improve outcomes for our people and places.

Prior to techUK, Georgina worked for a public policy events company where she managed the policy briefing division and was responsible for generating new ideas for events that would add value to the public sector. Georgina worked across a number of portfolios from education, criminal justice, and health but had a particular interest in public sector transformation and technology. Georgina also led on developing relationships across central and local government.

If you’d like to learn more about techUK, or want to get involved, get in touch.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2029
Twitter:
@GeorginaMarath
Website:
www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-maratheftis-0a002a102/

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Jago Corry

Jago Corry

Programme and Policy Assistant, Markets and International Trade, techUK

Jago joined techUK in July 2022 as a Programme and Policy Assistant to a mix of (but not limited to) Programmes including Financial Services, Justice and Emergency Services, and International Trade.

His role involves helping to shape the digital technology sector's response, position and general understanding towards UK Government, regulatory and international policymakers' rapidly developing frameworks and regimes covering technology's influence within economy and society. This also includes supporting the advancement of Government agencies’ approaches to DDaT and wider strategic cross-industry collaborative documents, within attempts to integrate digital transformation into wider administrative priorities.

He holds an undergraduate degree within Political Science, and master’s degree within European and Global Governance, of which his dissertation research project focused upon the European Commission's Social Dialogue mechanism, and its influence within labour market, employment, and European Stability Mechanism policymaking. 

Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagocorry/

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Raya Tsolova

Programme Manager, National Security, techUK

Raya Tsolova is the Programme Manager for National Security at techUK. 

Raya is responsible for all National Security related activities across techUK, specifically in the established programmes of Defence, Cyber Security and Justice & Emergency Services. Raya will leverage relationships with existing stakeholders across the three programmes, and will build new relationships between techUK and key stakeholders who are of interest to member companies. 

Prior to joining techUK, Raya worked in Business Development for an expert network firm within the institutional investment space. Before this Raya spent a year in industry working for a tech start-up in London as part of their Growth team which included the formation and development of a 'Let's Talk Tech' podcast and involvement in London Tech Week. 

Raya has a degree in Politics and International Relations (Bsc Hons) from the University of Bath where she focused primarily on national security and counter-terrorism policies, centreing research on female-led terrorism and specific approaches to justice there. 

Outside of work, Raya's interests include baking, spin classes and true-crime Netflix shows! 

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07712630603

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Robert Walker

Robert Walker

Programme Manager, Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services, techUK

Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care & Justice and Emergency Services.

Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.

Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!

Email:
[email protected]

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