Multi-agency approach needed to tackle violence against women and girls

23 February 2023

Nottinghamshire Police Federation chair Simon Riley says a multi-agency approach is needed to tackle violence against women and girls.

Simon said services including health, social care, education and the criminal justice system have to work together to protect women and girls from aggression, harassment, and domestic abuse.

His comments come as the Government earlier this week published its new Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) earlier this week, which compels police forces to treat violence against women and girls as a national threat.

This means tackling these crimes will be as important as threats like terrorism, serious and organised crime and child sexual abuse.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), an estimated 6.9 per cent of women aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2022. This equates to an estimated 1.7 million women, the Office for Nationals Statistics said.

Simon said: “The level and range of violence against women and girls is absolutely shocking and causes untold misery and suffering for the victims.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is already a priority for police forces, but adding it to the Strategic Policing Requirement will strengthen the powers we have to tackle this issue.

“To make a real difference it needs to be funded and resourced appropriately – and we need a multi-agency approach. It’s not just a policing issue.

“We need agencies such as health, social care, education and elements of the criminal justice system to come together so that we can not only prevent abuse against women, but also ensure that victims get the individual support they need.”

Under the new proposals the law will be changed so offenders convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour and sentenced to a year or more imprisonment or a suspended sentence will be jointly managed by the police, prison and probation services.

They will be added to the violent and sex offenders’ register too.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Domestic abuse is a despicable crime that leads to people’s closest relationships becoming a frightening existence of torment, pain, fear, and anxiety.

“It is completely unacceptable and as Home Secretary I will do everything in my power to stop it.

“The wide-ranging measures announced today will mean the most dangerous offenders will be watched more closely and added to the violent and sex offender register.

“Also, police forces in England and Wales will now have to treat violence against women and girls as a national threat and more victims will be protected from harm.”

The SPR sets out the Home Secretary's view of what the current national threats are, and the national policing capabilities needed to counter those threats.