PSNI Reaffirms Commitment To Tackling Violence Against Women

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has reinforced its commitment to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) following the publication of the National Policing Statement.

The statement, which was released earlier today, Tuesday 23 July, found over 1 million VAWG related crimes were recorded nationally (in England and Wales) during 2022/23. This accounts for 20% of all police recorded crime.

The report also found VAWG related crime increased by 37% between 2018/23, and that at least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim each year, with the exact number expected to be much higher.

The PSNI published their Tackling VAWG Action Plan in September 2022 and since then has been steadfast in their collective fight against VAWG, with progress such as:

• In the rolling 365 days to 10 January 2024 there were 24,282 VAWG offences recorded. This is a reduction of 12% compared to the previous 365-day period. The decrease is largely as a result of the reduction in violence against the person offences. There has also been a lot of police activity in preventing and deterring VAWG offences and offenders as detailed below.

• Since September 2022 until 31 January 2024, the sanction outcome rate for VAWG offences is 26.2%, with a charge/summons outcome rate of 21.3%. These outcome rates are higher than the equivalent rates for all such offences recorded (24.0% and 18.4% respectively).

• Over the same time period, sanction outcome rates for controlling or coercive behaviour sit at 49.9% and sanction outcome rates for stalking sit at 52.6%; both rates are higher than during the first twelve months of these pieces of legislation being introduced. The sanction outcome rate for non-fatal strangulation (introduced in June 2023) is 36.4%.

*Sanction outcomes include charge/summons, cautions and community resolution notices.

• Officers are using a new tracking tool for reports of crimes against women and girls and targeting neighbourhood policing resources to these locations.

• From September 2022 to end of January 2024, officers have arrested, on average, 73 people a month for the new domestic abuse offence, 15 people for stalking and since new legislation was introduced in June 2023, 77 people for non-fatal strangulation.

• A dedicated Design out Crime team was introduced to provide specialist design solutions and assessments on the security to local businesses to minimise crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Since 1st September 2022 until end of January 2024, the team has provided support to over 200 projects.

• The safety codeword initiative 'Ask for Angela' continues to be rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across Northern Ireland, with over 400 already signed up.

• The PSNI Professional Standards Department has established a sexual misconduct review team, reviewing the last ten years of sexual misconduct allegations against police officers. They are also actively ensuring officers and staff know how to report discriminatory or unethical behaviours via an internal reporting system.

• Currently, 6,000 officers and staff have undergone revised training on domestic abuse, encompassing coercive control, as well as a year two refresher package. Over 3,000 have been trained to recognise and respond to stalking and non-fatal strangulation. New modules of training have also been developed and delivered in person across all policing districts for the Justice Act Offences known as "up skirting" and "down blousing".

• A training package with NEXUS has also been delivered to 4,000 officers to address rape myths, how they may present when victims are disclosing trauma and how we can best present their evidence in court. 

Read more here: www.psni.police.uk/safety-and-support/keeping-safe/tackling-violence-against-women-and-girls/violence-against-women-0

Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher, from the Service's Public Protection Team, said: "I welcome the statement issued today by the National Police Chiefs Council, and want to reassure the Northern Irish public that their police service remains committed to providing a first class response to these offences, which disproportionately affect women and girls, and to pursue those who commit them.

"We know already that policing only sees the tip of the iceberg and that there are women and girls out there who are suffering in silence. My message today to them would be, please report. We want to help you and we want to see that justice is served to those who have harmed you in any way.

"We have made significant progress in our efforts to deter VAWG perpetrators and safeguard victims but there is more work to be done. We are never complacent.

"Every officer and staff member is part of our continued collective commitment to tackle violence, intimidation and harassment of women and girls but we can't win this fight on our own. We look forward to the anticipated publication of the Executive's strategy which we hope will affirm a societal commitment."