Violence against women and girls (VAWG) in England and Wales has surged by nearly 40% over the past five years. This sharp increase has prompted police chiefs to declare it a “national emergency.” The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) estimates that around 2 million women fall victim to male violence annually, highlighting the severity of this crisis.
The Guardian reports that crimes such as stalking, harassment, sexual assault, and domestic violence now affect one in 12 women. The number of recorded offences has grown by 37% between 2018 and 2023, with perpetrators becoming younger. This information is part of the first national analysis of violence against women and girls by the NPCC.
Disturbing Statistics and Radicalization Concerns
The NPCC report reveals that 20% of all police-recorded crimes—over 1 million offences annually—are related to VAWG. These include sexual assault, stalking, harassment, domestic violence, and controlling and coercive behavior. The true number of offences is estimated to be double the recorded figures.
Maggie Blyth, the police national lead for VAWG, stated, “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.” [via The Guardian]
Child sexual abuse and exploitation have increased by over 400% from 2013 to 2022. Offences by children make up 55.6% of the total. The average age of victims is 13, while suspects average 15 years old. The NPCC also expressed concerns about young men being radicalized online by influencers like Andrew Tate.
Government and Police Responses
Keir Starmer, the new prime minister, has vowed to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. He has initiated taskforces in each police force, including specialist domestic abuse workers responding to emergency calls. However, police chiefs acknowledge that many victims do not report crimes, meaning the actual number of victims could be significantly higher.
Louisa Rolfe, the national lead for domestic abuse, suggested that the real figure might be closer to 4 million victims annually. She pointed out the increasing prevalence of non-fatal strangulation among younger people. Rolfe attributes this to the influence of extreme online material. In addition, she notes that non-fatal strangulation has become more common among younger individuals. Research shows some men believe it’s a normal part of a sexual relationship, despite lacking women’s consent.
Harriet Wistrich from the Centre for Women’s Justice criticized the report for failing to sufficiently address the problem of police officers committing violence against women and girls. She stated that the NPCC report barely mentions police perpetrators of VAWG, which has significantly eroded victims’ trust in law enforcement.
The Role of Technology and Education
Part of the increase in violence against women and girls is driven by extreme content on the internet. Police have called for technology companies to act faster in removing harmful material. Clare Kelly, associate head of policy at the NSPCC, urged tech companies to stop boys from being targeted with misogynistic content.
“Tech companies must step up to stop boys from being targeted with vile misogynistic content and put safety measures in place to prevent grooming and sexual abuse proliferating their platforms,” stated Ms Kelly [via The Guardian].
Educational institutions also play a crucial role. Schools need support to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and relevant relationships and sex education. This is essential to create a culture where girls feel safe, heard, and empowered.
Addressing Systemic Challenges
The inefficiencies within the justice system exacerbate the issue, with delays in prosecuting domestic abuse cases often causing victims to withdraw their support for prosecutions. Blyth noted that the system is not functioning effectively due to significant delays. These delays erode trust in the legal process and leave victims feeling unsupported.
The government and police recognize that violence against women and girls should be treated as seriously as terrorism. They are committed to better training and reforms to bring more offenders to justice.
Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, stressed the urgency of the situation: “The scale of violence against women and girls in our country is intolerable and this government will treat it as the national emergency that it is.” [via The Guardian]
Featured image: Violence against women is a national emergency. Source: DavidPrado / Adobe Stock.
