South East top lawyer joins new commission on domestic and sexual violence
CPS South East's Chief Crown Prosecutor has joined a new commission looking at domestic and sexual violence.
Jaswant Narwal will be part of the commission, chaired by Baroness Hilary Armstrong, which will look at how to support some of the most marginalised women in society, including those facing addiction and poor mental health.
Brought together by AVA (Against Violence & Abuse) and Agenda, the alliance for women and girls at risk, the commission will consider what services are available to women and the changes to policy and practice needed to support them.
Jaswant said: "This is a subject I feel particularly passionately about, as for me, domestic and sexual violence still remains under reported. Part of the problem is that it is often not talked about in communities in the way it should be.
"I have been involved in prosecuting cases for almost 30 years and have a wealth of experience with these types of cases. The issues affecting victims are often multi-faceted, as they can face multiple disadvantages and I look forward to playing my part on this commission in finding ways that practical support can be provided for them."
The commission, which will take evidence from women with experience of these issues, has been funded by a grant from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. It will report back at the end of its year-long commission.
Notes to editors
The Commission includes leading professionals from a range of sectors including:
- Dame Gill Morgan, former Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Assembly Government
- Vivienne Adams, Chief Executive of Adfam
- Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Director of the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research at Heriot Watt University
- Marai Larasi, Executive Director of Imkaan
- Jaswant Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the South East of England
- Dominic Williamson, Executive Director of Strategy and Policy at St Mungo's.
Agenda, the alliance for women and girls at risk, works to ensure that women and girls facing abuse, poverty, poor mental health, addiction and homelessness get the support and protection they need. We campaign for systems and services to be transformed; to raise awareness across sectors; and to promote public and political understanding of the lives of women and girls facing multiple disadvantage. www.weareagenda.org
AVA (Against Violence and Abuse) is a leading UK charity committed to ending gender based violence and abuse. We strive to improve services for survivors through our learning, resources, consultancy and end Violence Against Women and Girls through our policy, research and prevention work. Our particular expertise is in multiple disadvantage and children and young people. www.avaproject.org.uk
About Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales:
- Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales is one of the UK's leading community grant-makers. An independent registered charity funded by the profits of Lloyds Banking Group as part of the Group's commitment to Helping Britain Prosper. The Foundation invests in charities supporting people to break out of disadvantage at critical points in their lives, and promotes practical approaches to lasting change.
- The Foundation awarded a £96,320 grant to AVA and Agenda as part of Transform, a one-off grants programme designed to support small and medium-sized charities develop news ways to strengthen and improve responses to domestic and sexual abuse.
- For more information visit www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk