Violence Against Women and Girls: Policing, politics and practice

Jess Phillips MP

Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding.

Jess Phillips is a Labour Party politician who became the MP for the constituency of Birmingham Yardley at the 2015 general election.

Jess has committed her life to improving the lives of others, especially the most vulnerable. Before becoming an MP, Jess worked for Women’s Aid in the West Midlands developing services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, human trafficking and exploitation. She became a councillor in 2012, in this role she worked tirelessly to support residents, with her work being recognised when she became Birmingham's first ever Victims Champion.

Since becoming an MP, Jess has continued her fight to support those who need it the most and has earned a reputation for plain speaking since being elected, unfazed by threats and calling out sexist attitudes as she promotes women’s rights and focuses on ending violence against women and girls and on issues of justice and home affairs.

Jess is a bestselling author and has written three bestselling books. Her books focus on demystifying the worlds of politics and activism to encourage others to take back power and control.

Andy Cook

QPM DL, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services.

Andy Cooke joined Merseyside Police in 1985 having obtained an Honours Degree in Politics from Nottingham University. He served as a Detective at every rank.

Throughout his career, Andy has had numerous roles including being in charge of the Robbery Squad and Target Operations at the Major Crime Unit. He became the first Commander of the nationally recognised ‘Matrix’ team, responsible for tackling gun and gang enabled crime.

During his time as Area Commander for South Liverpool, Andy was instrumental in significantly reducing crime, antisocial behaviour and disorder and South Liverpool became one of the highest performing Basic Command Units in the country. In 2008, Andy was appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary where he held the roles of ACC Specialist Operations and ACC Territorial Operations.

He returned to Merseyside in 2012, was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2013 and in 2016 he was appointed Chief Constable. During this time, Andy led the biggest reorganisation in Merseyside Police’s 40 year history. Whilst he was Chief, the Force was graded as the highest performing metropolitan Force by HMICFRS.

Nationally, Andy held some of the highest risk portfolios in Policing. In addition to leading the creation of the United Kingdom Protected Persons Service, he was the national policing lead for serious organised crime and national lead for crime.

Andy has also been commended on 10 occasions and in 2014 was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of the Merseyside Lieutenancy and an Adjunct Professor within the School of Justice Studies at Liverpool John Moores University.

Andy was appointed as HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services in April 2021 where he was the HMI for Northern England and the SRO for PEEL Inspection.

On 1 April 2022 Andy was appointed as HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and HM Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services. 

Farah Nazeer

Farah Nazeer has been chief executive of Women’s Aid since March 2021.

With more than 20 years of director-level experience in the charity sector, she has devoted her career to women’s rights and working to end violence against women and children.

Farah has led Women’s Aid during a period of transition and significant growth, steering the charity through the unprecedented rise in demand for domestic abuse services presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under Farah’s leadership, Women’s Aid has delivered and supported member organisations to deliver higher levels of lifesaving direct services throughout England, such as Women’s Aid’s Live Chat service. Farah’s voice has enhanced the charity’s ongoing campaigns to increase the safety and rights of domestic abuse survivors, and their children.

Farah says: “It’s a huge privilege to work for such an inspiring organisation, and one that is uniquely placed to help bring about the elimination of violence against women and girls. We won’t stop until women and children are safe at home, in the streets, and at the hands of those who are supposed to protect us. We will work tirelessly to inform and bring together all parts of society to help us achieve our goals. There are many challenges ahead and barriers to break down, but I’m proud to work with such a passionate team of dedicated and resilient feminists.”

Samantha Millar

Sam is currently a Chief Superintendent working as the Programme Lead on the National Police Chiefs Councils VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) Taskforce.

Before joining policing, Sam spent time after university as in the army as a young officer. Sam became an accomplished adventurer, was the first female officer to undertake artic warfare survival accreditation, became a ski instructor and even learned how to build igloos! After a tour of duty in Northern Ireland, Sam was awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal, something she would describe as the proudest moment of her service for her family.

Sam started her policing career in West Yorkshire Police in 1993 and transferred to North Yorkshire Police in 2019.  She is an experienced public order commander, a current firearms commander and has recently been nominated for awards around her activity in coaching and mentoring.

Sam joined the police as a graduate entrant, was selected as part of a fast-track promotion scheme, undertaking roles at every rank in operational delivery in some of the most complex and challenging areas within West Yorkshire and Specialist Operation roles. After a short spell as staff officer, Sam’s interest in partnerships saw her head up a large community safety partnership in Leeds in 2014, known as Safer Leeds.  In this role, Sam had strategic responsibility for a range of safeguarding work streams. She has influenced the national agenda around policing street sex working, has held roles as deputy chair of adults and children safeguarding boards and was recognised locally and nationally for her innovative and influential work with her Safer Leeds Team in developing the MASH in Leeds.

In December 2018 Sam completed a master programme with the University of Cambridge in criminology, using it as an opportunity to research and evidence the operational impact of a multi-agency approach to tackling on-street sex working.

Sam is married with three children, having adopted her third child. She is a governor for her children’s local primary school and still retains a passion for skiing and walking in the mountains!