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Murder

"Radical" Change Needed to Stop Epidemic of Violence Against Women and Girls in Britain

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A major overhaul is required to address the pervasive issue of violence against women and girls in Britain, according to a watchdog's findings. The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, sparked by the shocking murder of Sarah Everard, calls for a "fundamental cross-system change" to prioritize protecting women as highly as counter-terrorism. The report highlights the need for a "whole-system approach" that spans police, justice agencies, health, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • The inspectorate calls for a "radical refocus" on crimes that disproportionately affect female victims, including domestic abuse, rape, sexual grooming, and stalking.
  • Police must prioritize protecting women as highly as counter-terrorism, according to the report.
  • The government's Strategic Policing Requirement does not include violence against women and girls as a priority, despite the scale of the epidemic.
  • Two-thirds of women aged 16-34 report being sexually harassed in the past year, and half feel unsafe in public spaces.
  • On average, a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK, and 1.6 million female victims of domestic abuse were recorded in the year to March 2020.
  • Three-quarters of investigations into domestic abuse-related crimes reported to the police are closed without a charge.
  • The Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Vera Baird QC, said that "far too many cases are closed without charge" and that the police must "relentlessly pursue and disrupt perpetrators".
  • The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, backed calls for a statutory duty on the issue, which could be introduced through amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
  • The Centre for Women's Justice director, Harriet Wistrich, said the government should invest "significant funds" and address failings by the Crown Prosecution Service and probation.
  • The End Violence Against Women Coalition director, Andrea Simon, said the current system is "not working for victims and survivors" and needs a "complete overhaul".

Statistics:

  • 66% of women aged 16-34 report being sexually harassed in the past year.
  • 50% of women feel unsafe in public spaces.
  • On average, a woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK.
  • 1.6 million female victims of domestic abuse were recorded in the year to March 2020.
  • 75% of investigations into domestic abuse-related crimes reported to the police are closed without a charge.

Sources:

  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (authoritative organization)
  • The Guardian (newspaper article)
  • BBC News (newspaper article)
  • BBC News (video report)
  • The Telegraph (newspaper article)
  • The Independent (newspaper article)
  • UK Government (press release)
  • Centre for Women's Justice (press release)
  • End Violence Against Women Coalition (press release)
  • Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales (press release)
  • Domestic Abuse Commissioner (press release)

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