Growing Concern Over Violence Against Women and Girls
A troubling report highlights the alarming rise of violence against women and girls, labeling it as a “significant and growing problem.” The National Audit Office revealed that one in twelve women experienced abuse over the past year.
Challenges in Addressing the Issue
Despite ongoing efforts, many victims continue to face inadequate support, leaving the Home Office uncertain about the effectiveness of its initiatives to combat this “epidemic.” The report indicates a limited governmental grasp of effective strategies to prevent such violence, noting that most initiatives focus on reducing reoffending rather than addressing the root causes of initial offenses.
Statistics on Domestic Abuse
The police recorded 827,609 domestic abuse-related offenses in the year ending September 2024, including 646,211 incidents of violence. The proportion of violence offenses attributed to domestic abuse remained stable at 33%, compared to 34% the previous year. Additionally, the prevalence of sexual assault among women aged 16-59 in England and Wales rose from 3.4% in 2009-10 to 4.3% in 2023-24. In the same timeframe, reported incidents of rape and sexual assault against women and girls surged from 34,000 to 123,000, partly due to enhancements in crime reporting.
Government Accountability
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, expressed concern that government actions to tackle violence against women and girls have not yet yielded improved outcomes for victims. He emphasized the necessity for a cohesive cross-government initiative that effectively addresses both the causes and repercussions of these crimes, especially given the new government’s ambitious goal to halve incidents of violence against women and girls within the next decade.
Call for an Integrated Strategy
Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), stated, “A comprehensive strategy to tackle and prevent violence against women and girls must encompass the entire government, as progress cannot be achieved in isolation.” She criticized the previous Home Office strategies for lacking coordination, specialized expertise, and adequate funding. Simon called for leadership and a robust governmental approach to ensure any newly implemented strategy comes with tangible financial commitments to match the urgency of this crisis.
Focusing on Prevention
Amelia Whitworth, Head of Policy, Campaigns & Youth at Plan International UK, highlighted that fear of violence is an everyday reality for girls, severely restricting their freedom and affecting their mental health. “Our research shows that 93% of girls and young women in the UK do not feel ‘completely safe’ in public spaces,” she noted. Whitworth welcomed the government’s goal to halve violence against women and girls in a decade but urged for a unified approach that encompasses gender equality across all government departments.
Political Promises and Needed Actions
Labour has committed to halving violence against women and girls in the next ten years. However, the NAO emphasized that achieving this target requires a coordinated response from the Home Office that tackles the underlying factors contributing to violence. The strand of efforts made under the Conservative government, while initiating a dedicated team for the 2021 strategy, faced difficulties in securing collaboration among various departments. The oversight group for this strategy met only four times in three years, illustrating a fragmented approach to an urgent issue.
Community Role in Prevention
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, pointed out the “disjointed” governmental strategy towards addressing the “epidemic” of violence against women and girls. He criticized the Home Office’s lack of transparency regarding spending and its impact on rising violence rates, stating that a fragmented response is inadequate for real change.
Cllr Heather Kidd, Chairwoman of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, echoed the sentiment that any violence against women and girls is unacceptable. While progress has been made in fulfilling previous government commitments, a significant cultural shift is necessary to effectively prevent abusive behavior. She acknowledged the critical role local governments play in supporting victims and survivors while advocating for sustainable funding to enhance safety and empowerment for women and girls.
