Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner has called a new report on violence against women and girls a ‘damning indictment’ of society and the dangers faced every day by the female population. 

The report by police chiefs shows 3,000 crimes of violence against women and girls (VAWG) are recorded each day, with at least one in 12 women becoming victims each year.

They are calling for a whole-system approach that brings together criminal justice partners, government bodies and industry, in a new partnership that seeks to reduce the scale and impact of offending on an ‘epidemic’ scale.

The National Policing Statement for VAWG, commissioned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing, found:

•         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 one 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.

•         Policing commits to launching specialist national centre to tackle VAWG 

•         Calls for whole-system approach that brings together criminal justice partners, government bodies and industry

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “It is absolutely shocking that one in 12 women will be a victim of violence every year. This means most people will know at least one person close to them who has suffered a crime they will live with forever.

“This report is a damning indictment of society and how women suffer with violence and ultimately murder. 

“We need to generate radical ideas to make a difference to women's and men's lives. Dealing with the aftermath of violence is not only too late to save people but it's also costly and is on the rise. We need a level of disruption and prevention that works much better. 

“In the past year I have secured £434,000 from the Home Office to improve safety of women at night through the Safer Streets initiative, and introduced specialist training for officers focusing on intelligence-led policing to tackle VAWG.

“I also fund a number of specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence services, including Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) across Devon and Cornwall.”

The NPCC said the creation of a dedicated policing hub, the National Centre for Public Protection, would support forces with specialist knowledge and training for investigators and officers, and lead on a national approach to preventative work with other agencies.

If anyone has been affected by VAWG they can access free, confidential support by visiting victimcare-dc.org or calling Victim Support on 0808 1681111. To contact a SARC visit sarchelp.co.uk or call 0300 303 4626.

The report can be read in full here.