Violence Against Women and Girls Epidemic Deepens

Police chiefs have outlined the scale of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in England and Wales in a National Policing Statement bringing together comprehensive data and analysis. 

According to statistics;

• Over one million VAWG related crimes were recorded during 2022/23, accounting for 20% of all police recorded crime. 
• Police recorded VAWG related crime increased by 37% between 2018/23. 
• At least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim per year, with the exact number expected to be much higher. 
• Child sexual abuse and exploitation increased by more than 400% between 2013 and 2022. 

VAWG crimes include domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, stalking, and harassment.

Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, Deputy CEO of the College of Policing and NPCC lead for violence against women and girls, said: 

“We are absolutely determined to turn the tide on violence and abuse faced by women and girls and will continue to work tirelessly to do better for victims. 

“Our focus will always be to bring the men behind these pervasive crimes to justice. By enhancing the way we use data and intelligence, we will improve our ability to identify, intercept and arrest those causing the most harm in communities. 

“We know that continuous improvement is needed to strengthen policing’s response to VAWG. Improvements must be driven nationally, ensuring consistency from force to force to give victims the service they expect and deserve.” 

The report said the average age of a victim is now 13, while the average age of a suspect is 15. 

These figures are quite staggering and highlight the extraordinary levels of violence being experienced by the female population in the UK prompting the Minister for Safeguarding, Jess Phillips, to write that the report’s findings show that VAWG is a “national emergency” and a “threat” to Britain’s security and prosperity. Sir Keir Starmer, the new prime minister, announced his government will bring forward plans to halve violence against women and girls.