Doncaster businesses urged to help tackle violence against women and girls
Businesses in Doncaster are being urged to help tackle violence against women and girls in a new link-up with South Yorkshire Police.
A new training scheme has been launched across Doncaster, encouraging businesses to work with the force to stand against violence against women and girls – VAWG.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, 5.1 million people in the UK aged 16 years and over, were a victim of sexual assault, domestic abuse and stalking, figures have revealed.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “This is not acceptable.
“Tackling VAWG is everyone’s responsibility. The Businesses Against Abuse scheme encourages businesses across Doncaster to work together to spot the signs of predatory behaviour, safely intervene and ultimately provide a safe space for women and girls.”
The scheme offers free training to any businesses who want to be involved, delivered by specialist VAWG officers from the force and DRASACS – Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service.
It focuses on the five D’s of VAWG – District, Delegate, Document, Direct, Delay – providing businesses with the confidence to challenge behaviour that doesn’t seem quite right.
The training also features an anonymous story from a VAWG survivor, a woman who was raped while on a night out in Sheffield.
She bravely touches on what happened to her and why she thinks training like this is so important.
Once businesses have received the training, they will become ‘Businesses Against Abuse’ accredited and will have an accreditation poster and sticker to display in their windows, allowing members of the public to know that is a safe space should they need one.
Their business will then be added to a list of accredited space spaces which can be searched on the SYP website.
Assistant Chief Constable Hayley Barnett said: “We all have a part to play when it comes to eradicating any form of violence against women and girls.
“More often than not, we have all been witness to behaviour that we may think is not right or makes us feel uncomfortable. This new training scheme enables businesses to feel empowered to be upstanders, challenging this behaviour.
“It can be something as simple as asking if that person is okay or if they need some help. That one small act could make a huge difference.”