Crime ‘epidemic’ against women and girls soars as police record over 3,000 incidents of violence a day
POLICE record more than 3,000 incidents a day of violence against women and girls.
An estimated one in 12 females across the UK become a victim every year in the “epidemic”.
The figure is up 37 per cent in four years and the category now accounts for a fifth of all recorded crime.
A report also says the number of suspected victim suicides is increasing.
Perpetrators are getting younger — with misogynistic social media influencers blamed for a spread of young men’s damaging behaviour.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing want to see a National Centre for Public Protection to oversee a “whole system” approach to “turn the tide”.
It would involve police, the courts, government bodies and specialist women’s services.
Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said counter-terror methodology would be used to “systematically pursue the highest harm offenders”.
Sophie Francis-Cansfield, from Women’s Aid, added: “Violence against women and girls is a national threat.
“Without meaningful collaboration and action, women and children will continue to be failed.”
Domestic violence minister Jess Phillips said the new Government’s mission was to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
She promised that it would be treated as “the national emergency that it is”.
HOW YOU CAN GET HELP:
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.