The National Police Chiefs’ Council is calling for a whole-system approach to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG) which, the NPCC argues, has grown to such a scale that it cannot be addressed through law enforcement alone.
Research findings suggest one in 20 people are perpetrators, with the actual number thought to be significantly higher. They have dealings with many organisations in health, education, local authorities, the voluntary sector and industry. If they all worked in tandem with the criminal justice system, sharing data and responsibilities to effect change across the board, then the resulting whole-system approach could reduce the epidemic of VAWG, according to the NPCC.
At present 3,000 such offences are recorded daily, around 20% of all recorded crime, with one in 12 women a victim each year. Domestic abuse is one of biggest demands on policing, with arrests for DA-related offences increasing by more than 20% and a sixth of all murders related to domestic abuse in the year to March 2023. Also, suspected victim suicides following domestic abuse are rising.
Police forces are improving the ways they tackle VAWG and are determined to turn the tide on violence and abuse faced by women and girls, said the NPCC’s lead in the area, deputy chief constable Maggie Blyth. “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.”
