North East leaders say violence against women an 'emergency'

Nearly 3,000 crimes against women and girls are recorded every day across the UK, a new report by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing today (July 23) reveals.

At least one in every 12 women will be a victim each year, with the exact number expected to be much higher because of crimes that go unreported.

In the North East, 52,394 domestic abuse-related crimes were recorded by police in the year to  March 2023 - up more than 150 per cent compared to eight years ago, according to Home Office figures.

The figures have been labelled "shocking" by local leaders as Labour commit to halve violence towards women and girls in a decade. 

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy said: “These figures are absolutely shocking but sadly not surprising. 

“Local charities and law enforcement in the North East are doing their best to deal with this epidemic of violence but they need more support.

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy.

“That’s why I’m proud that this Labour Government has made an unprecedented commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. We must be relentless in targeting the perpetrators of these awful crimes.

“Locally, I know this is a major focus for our Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, and as a female MP it is one that is also close to my heart.

“We want everyone in our region to feel safe and will work together with the Government to ensure things improve.”

More than one million violent crimes against women and girls were recorded by police in 2022/23 - accounting for 20% of all police-recorded crime excluding fraud in England and Wales.

One in 20 adults or 2.3 million people in England and Wales are the perpetrators of such violence every year, the report estimated, with the actual number thought to be much higher.

The age of offenders is also getting younger, with the average age of a suspect for child sexual abuse and exploitation now 15.

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey, said the data proves violence against women and girls is "a major public health crisis", as he admits more must be done.

He said: "I welcome proposals highlighting prevention and early intervention to prevent violence, abuse and harassment from escalating.

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey.

"In Cleveland, we recognise the power of the whole system approach by working closely with strategic partners and local charities on a wide range of projects.

"We also fund co-located domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking advocates in police, courts and health settings.

"However, I know there is much more to be done. That’s why I’ve made ‘improving safety of women and girls’ a key strand of my draft Police and Crime Plan for 2024-2028.

"It will only be when all partners work together to tackle this evil – and its root causes – that we will see a sea change in attitudes towards women and their safety."

In wake of the report, the deputy chief executive of the College of Policing said violence against women and girls has “reached epidemic levels” in England and Wales and called for government intervention in the “overwhelmed” criminal justice system.

The watchdog added that police forces are seeing “ever more complicated types of offending” causing “significant harm to victims and society as a whole”.

Sophie Francis-Cansfield, head of external affairs at Women’s Aid, said the report’s findings were “alarming”, adding that many survivors do not report their experiences meaning the issue is “much larger than the data shows”.

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She added: “Women’s Aid agree that violence against women and girls is a national threat, and echoes calls for a whole-system approach to tackling the problem and centres the most marginalised.

“This includes co-ordination between the criminal justice system, the government, and experts, and enhanced training and education, delivered by specialist services, to those working in statutory services like the police.

“Without meaningful collaboration and action, women and children will continue to be failed when it comes to be protected and when seeking justice for the abuse they have endured.”