VIOLENCE against women and girls (VAWG) and how the police in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight work to prevent and respond to it has been selected as the first area for review by a group of young volunteers.

The volunteer group has been set up by Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, to challenge policing practices.

VAWG was chosen as the first topic in light of increasing reports women don’t feel safe when out, whether that is walking home, at school, college or university or on a night out.

The group discussed how since the death of Sarah Everard more women and girls have been speaking out about their experiences of harassment, cat calls, cyberflashing, unwanted sexual advances and of sexual abuse.

Recent YouGov research found 41% of Millennial women have been sent an unsolicited picture of a man’s private parts.

The Strategic Youth Independent Advisory Group (YIAG) will be looking at the issue of VAWG in terms of police practices such as what new laws could help the police to tackle the issue.

At their first meeting examining the topic the members heard from Maria Miller MP who spoke about how MPs have been passing new laws to tackle issues such as upskirting, stalking and revenge porn.

She said: “One of my priorities is working to make our community safer, particularly tackling the violence women and girls experience in daily life, including online and through social media.

"I was particularly grateful to hear the YIAG’s thoughts on ways we can tackle sexual harassment in schools and our wider local community.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, set up the Strategic Youth Independent Advisory Group, to review and challenge policing practices to make improvements to the service and how the force interacts with young people.

The group is made up of 19 volunteers aged 14 to 25 years old.

She said: “It is important that I, and the police, are connected to young people, and we hear what they feel about issues that matter to them.

"It is an ever-changing world, especially the digital world, and more can be done to help women and girls stay safe and feel safe."

The YIAG will ask for opinions from their communities as part of the review process and will be launching their call for evidence and an online survey soon.

Once the review is complete the YIAG members will present their findings directly to senior police officers.