PCC and Supt Georgie Garvey at the youth VAWG workshop
Young people from across Merseyside have helped shape the region’s next steps in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) through a series of youth‑voice workshops.
Delivered by the Merseyside Youth Association’s RAISE Team and funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the sessions brought together young people, youth workers and professionals to explore perceptions of VAWG.
The workshops were designed to increase young people’s understanding of VAWG and supported them to identify local factors that contribute to harmful behaviours.
As a result of the workshops, the young people were supported to co‑produce a youth‑informed VAWG statement and a series of recommendations that will now directly inform future regional strategies aimed at making our region safer for women and girls.
The sessions were attended by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and the Director of the MVRP, Superintendent Georgie Garvey, demonstrating their commitment to using the views of the young people to inform their work to tackle and prevent VAWG.
“I’ve been determined to put the voices of women and girls at the heart of all my work to tackle VAWG.
“From consultations and surveys to victim-survivor forums and feedback sessions, their views and lived experience shape all our work – and the views of young people are critical to this process.
“Young people see the world differently. They challenge us. They ask the difficult questions. And they aren’t afraid to speak honestly about the behaviours and attitudes they witness every day — online, in schools, in public spaces, and in their communities.
“Their insight isn’t just valuable – it’s essential. If we want real, lasting change, we need to listen to them, learn from them, and make sure their voices help shape the solutions.
“So, my heartfelt thanks go to all the young people who took part in these sessions and were brave enough to share their open and honest views with us.”
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell
“Young people don’t hold back – they call out what they see, challenge harmful behaviours, and push all of us to do better.
“That’s why we were really proud to support and participate in this powerful project bringing together young people from across Merseyside to speak out on violence against women and girls
“Their voices matter and their honesty and insight are exactly what’s needed to drive real prevention and lasting change.”
Director of the MVRP Superintendent Georgie Garvey
“At Merseyside Youth Association, young people’s voices are at the heart of everything we do. When we give them meaningful opportunities to share their experiences, they don’t just contribute to the conversation — they help shape the decisions and strategies that affect their lives.
“Through this work, their insight will directly inform future approaches to tackling violence against women and girls across our region.”
Rhiann Barrett, Mental Health Promotion Worker and MVP Lead at MYA
The sessions, held during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in December, followed the Lundy Model of Participation, ensuring young people were heard and had genuine influence over decision‑making.
Learning from the workshops will be used well beyond the campaign period to shape long‑term approaches. The feedback and recommendations set out by the young people will now be used to help inform the Police and Crime Commissioner’s new partnership VAWG strategy which is currently being refreshed.
It will also help to inform the projects and initiatives developed, funded and delivered by the MVRP
A full report, including outcomes and participant reflections, is available here.