Our view: Police call for urgent action on ‘epidemic’ of violence against women and girls – and we strongly agree

Senior police officers have called for a concerted nationwide effort to tackle an “epidemic” of violence against women and girls, (VAWG).

In a report issued today, The National Police Chiefs’ Council, NPCC), said forces across England and Wales were recording 3,000 such offences every day – but added that the true number was likely to be higher.

The NPCC said police forces could not tackle the culture of violent misogyny alone.

Research commissioned by the NPCC and The College of Policing found:

• More than one million VAWG-related crimes were recorded during 2022/2023, accounting for 20% of all police recorded crime.

• Police- recorded VAWG related crime increased by 37% between 2018 and 2023.

• At least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim per year, with the exact number expected to be much higher.

• Child sexual abuse and exploitation increased by more than 400% between 2013 and 2022.

• One in every six murders related to domestic abuse in 2022/2023, with suspected victim suicides following domestic abuse rising year-on-year.

  
  

Della Kagure Brown, director of The New Futures Project said: “I don’t believe anyone working in this sector will be at all surprised by these figures.

“We have known for some time there needs to be a significant change in the way men and boys are socialised and until this happens and women are respected as equals there is unlikely to be any change.

“Meanwhile organisations like ours who support women and girls who are victims of male violence are underfunded and under-resourced.

“Hopefully the change in government will make a difference.”

The NPCC said it was “transforming” the way officers investigate rape and serious sexual offences, adding that more than 4,500 new officers have been trained in the past year to investigate VAWG crimes.

Presenting its report today, the NPCC added: “We are also working closer than ever with prosecutors and ensuring all investigations are focussed on the actions of the alleged perpetrator, not the victim.”

It reported that “early data” shows increases in the number of suspects arrested for domestic assault and in those charged for rape – acknowledging: “Whilst this is a positive shift, we acknowledge that this is only the start and there is still more to do.”

 It continued: “Policing has ensured violence against women and girls is now officially classed as a national threat by government and a refreshed national framework has brought the police response to VAWG in line with counter-terrorism.”

Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, Deputy CEO of the College of Policing and NPCC lead for violence against women and girls, said: “We are absolutely determined to turn the tide on violence and abuse faced by women and girls and will continue to work tirelessly to do better for victims. 

“Our focus will always be to bring the men behind these pervasive crimes to justice. By enhancing the way we use data and intelligence, we will improve our ability to identify, intercept and arrest those causing the most harm in communities.

“We know that continuous improvement is needed to strengthen policing’s response to VAWG.

“Improvements must be driven nationally, ensuring consistency from force to force to give victims the service they expect and deserve.”

The council’s statement continued: “Violence against women and girls is at such a scale that it cannot be addressed through law enforcement alone.

“One in 20 people are estimated to be perpetrators of VAWG per year, with the actual number thought to be significantly higher. 

“Evidence shows many of these perpetrators will have touch points with a number of agencies outside of policing through their life, presenting opportunities for intervention.  

“This includes health, education, local authority, voluntary sector and industry all working in tandem with the criminal justice system, sharing data and responsibilities to effect change across the board.

“The creation of a dedicated policing hub, the National Centre for Public Protection in the College of Policing, would support forces with specialist knowledge and training for investigators and officers, and lead on a national approach to preventative work with other agencies.

“Ultimately, this would deliver a better service to victims through quality investigations and victim care.

Deputy Chief Constable Blyth continued: “A centralised hub within policing that brings together specialised skill sets and capabilities would support police forces in improving their response to VAWG. 

“However, this will only achieve progress as part of a wider, effective criminal justice system, which at present is overwhelmed and under-performing for victims.

“Violence against women and girls is a national emergency. We need the support and direction of government to intervene and address the current problems within the criminal justice system and lead the way on a whole-system approach to VAWG. 

“We aspire to a position where an effective criminal justice response to VAWG is the last resort.

“We need to move forward as a society to make change and no longer accept VAWG as inevitable.” 

Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of External Affairs at Women’s Aid, said: “While the findings into the scale of violence against women and girls in this country are alarming, it is important to remember that many survivors will not report their experiences to the police, therefore we know the issue will be much larger than the data shows. 

“Women’s Aid agree that violence against women and girls is a national threat, and echoes calls for a whole-system approach to tackling the problem and centres the most marginalised.

“This includes coordination between the criminal justice system, the government, and experts, and enhanced training and education, delivered by specialist services, to those working in statutory services like the police.

“Without meaningful collaboration and action, women and children will continue to be failed when it comes to be protected and when seeking justice for the abuse they have endured.”

The New Futures Project was set up more than 20 years ago to support women involved in sex work.

However, we have evolved into a comprehensive welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.

Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk

You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.

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