Campaign Demands Action on Violence Against Women

Strategic Insights -

Ruth Davison, chief executive of Refuge, a charity that supports survivors of domestic abuse, called for action to prevent violence against women and girls, highlighting the need for specific changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. Amidst the backdrop of Sarah Everard's murder by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, the charity marked the launch of the "EnoughIsEnough" campaign with silhouettes representing 16 women killed by serving or former police officers since 2009. Refuge wants the Home Secretary to include domestic abuse, domestic homicide, and sexual violence in the proposed serious violence prevention duty, which currently lacks explicit definition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Refuge is calling for the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to explicitly include domestic abuse, domestic homicide, and sexual violence in the proposed serious violence prevention duty.
  • The charity wants to amend the Bill in the House of Lords to include violence against women and girls as a priority for policing, giving it the same consideration as terrorism.
  • Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and Refuge are pushing for a national approach to address the issue, rather than leaving it up to local areas to decide priorities.
  • The comedian Jo Brand, an ambassador for Refuge, criticized Metropolitan Police's recent advice to women who fear lone male officers, labeling it "ridiculous".
  • Refuge's campaign aims to raise awareness about the need for immediate action to prevent violence against women and girls, mirroring the call from Home Secretary Priti Patel to stop the "epidemic of violence against women and girls".

Statistics:

  • Since 2009, 16 women have been killed by serving or former police officers in the UK.
  • Over 40 regional police forces operate in the UK, leading to varying policing priorities and responses to domestic violence.
  • The majority of cases where women have been killed by someone they know did not involve a suitable response from the police when they alerted officers to being stalked or harassed.

Sources:

  • "Enough is enough - our own Home Secretary Priti Patel said this and she said she'd use everything in her power to stop this epidemic of violence against women and girls," - Ruth Davison, Refuge's chief executive.
  • "We need more than just words, we need actual action, action that will make a difference and save women's lives, keep women safer day to day." - Ruth Davison, Refuge's chief executive.
  • "In this Bill, there is a serious violence duty and what we're seeking to do is to have violence against women and girls included in it." - Baroness Helena Kennedy QC.