Violence against women and girls ‘national emergency’, say police
Police in England and Wales are warning of an ‘epidemic’ of violence against women and girls (VAWG) as new data shows harm inflicted is increasing in volume as well as severity.
The scale of the threat is outlined in a national policing report commissioned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing as part of a wider call for a robust, whole-system response to the issue. The NPCC is calling for a joined-up approach between government, criminal justice figures and industry to tackle VAWG.
Among the findings, the report found that between 2018 and 2023, police recorded incidents of VAWG increased by 37%, with over one million related crimes recorded between the 2022-2023 period. To put this into context, this means at least 1 in 12 women will be a victim of such crimes every year, though the exact number is expected to be far higher, with police estimating reports account for less than 24% of incidents.
Suspected victim suicides following domestic abuse are also rising year-on-year.
Despite the sombre content of the report, police attribute part of the rise to increased awareness, greater understanding of the insidiousness of these crimes and more willingness of women and girls to report.
Meanwhile, following suggestions that rape has been virtually ‘decriminalised’ due to dwindling conviction rates (which remain at 4.4% in England and Wales), the NPCC referenced a 25% increase in arrests and 38% increase in charges for the crime.
Speaking at a media briefing, Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, NPCC Lead for Violence against Women and Girls described the violence as having reached ‘staggering levels’ and referred to VAWG as a ‘national emergency’.
Police also warned that the age of offenders is getting younger, with the average age of perpetrators of child sexual abuse and exploitation now being 15, which is largely attributed to the sharing of indecent images that is happening among children, “through naivety, lack of awareness and understanding.”
To tackle the rise in VAWG, police are adopting a counter-terrorism approach as part of pre-emptive policing. This will be particularly vital when it comes to the impact of social media on the spread of misogyny.
Responding to a Cosmopolitan UK question about how the police plan to tackle tech-enabled VAWG, DCC Blyth pinpointed education as “absolutely vital” to raise awareness of online harms. She also said “the Online Safety Act has to go further” when it comes to tackling such crimes.
“The companies that make so much money from it must take it much more seriously – so be really clear about age verification and swifter removal of really harmful content, as well as a much more rigorous approach to reporting,” she said.
Blyth also referenced young people’s perceptions of sex, including the rise of non-fatal strangulation increasing among young people and how “the perception that it’s part of a healthy sexual relationship is really frightening,” adding: “we’re talking about really harmful things that I just don’t think enough people are taking seriously and there are opportunities to deal with these things before they happen.”
Referencing the spread of misogynistic content online, Blyth referred to the “radicalisation of young people online – particularly boys,” as “quite terrifying”.
Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of External Affairs at Women’s Aid, said: “Violence against women and girls is a national threat.” The charity echoed calls for a whole-system approach to tackling the problem, adding that “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 report comes a week after misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate, who is currently awaiting trial in Romania for charges of human trafficking and rape, lost his appeal to be granted freedom of movement within the European Union.
Following Tate’s rise, research from earlier this year found a stark ideological gap between the sexes emerging globally, with a report by Ipsos and King’s College London suggesting one in give UK men aged 16 to 29 hold a favourable view of the self-proclaimed “king of toxic masculinity.”
For confidential support or advice about any form of abuse, you can contact Woman’s Aid using their live chat feature. You can also view their local domestic abuse directory to find services nearby.
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