Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster says preventing and tackling violence against women and girls always has been and will remain, one of his top priorities, after new figures showed one in 12 women become a victim of abuse each year.
The PCC said he will do all he can to support victims and survivors, after it was revealed 3,000 incidents of violence against women and girls are recorded each day across the country.
He also re-affirmed his stance, that preventing and tackling VAWG, will remain one of his top priorities, throughout his second term in office.
The National Policing Statement for VAWG, commissioned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing, found:
- More than one million VAWG related crimes were recorded during 2022/23, accounting for 20 per cent of all police recorded crime.
- Police recorded VAWG related crime increased by 37 per cent 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 per cent between 2013 and 2022.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “Preventing and tackling violence against women and girls and supporting victims has always been, and will remain, a top priority for me. That is because of the catastrophic and devastating impact it has on victims and their families.
“We must all be upstanders for women’s safety and not bystanders to violence, abuse and intimidation. We must challenge and change any and all behaviours and attitudes, that can lead to violence against women and girls. Preventing and tackling violence against women and girls is everyone’s responsibility.”
The PCC commissions a wide range of victim’s support services in the region, whilst also holding West Midlands Police to account, to ensure action is taken, to prevent and tackle VAWG.
The action taken has included, the introduction of a domestic abuse desk made up of specialist officers, a stalking intervention and triage system, increased arrests, and greater use of civil protection orders. Officers and staff also receive sexual harassment training in the workplace, whilst Op Soteria has also been implemented, improving how rape and other sexual offences are investigated.
VAWG and domestic abuse, remains one of biggest demands on policing, with arrests for domestic abuse related offences increasing by over 22% in the year ending March 2023, compared to the previous period.
You can find out what West Midlands Police has been doing to tackle VAWG here.
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