Action to significantly reduce violence against women and girls has been identified in a plan published today by the South Wales Police & Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable.
In 2012/13, South Wales Police handled 27,537 recorded incidents of domestic abuse, accounting for around a third of all violent crimes in the force area, with 2,242 people thought to be at high risk of serious harm or even murder. South Wales Police is the third best performing force for detecting adult rape and has higher than average arrest rates for domestic abuse, yet women in the UK are still thought to experience an average of 35 incidents of violence in the home before reporting to the police.
A wide-range of professionals, including the police, play a crucial role in recognising when people are at risk from domestic abuse and in supporting them from the earliest opportunity to prevent problems from escalating. The South Wales Police plan for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls identifies areas to further develop existing partnership working to help give people confidence in reporting crimes and to provide the best possible service to victims. The work reflects the priority given to tackling violence against women and girls, set by the Police & Crime Commissioner, Alun Michael, in the 2014 Police & Crime Reduction Plan and reinforced by the Chief Constable Peter Vaughan in the Force Delivery Plan. It aims to help those affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, female genital mutilation, trafficking, and so-called crimes in the name of “honour”.
Alun Michael said today: “Change will not come about overnight because we need to reach a point where nobody in South Wales is prepared to tolerate violence against women and girls or other forms of domestic violence. It is not a job that can be done by the police alone – it depends on a change in public attitudes and the help of our partners in local government and the NHS. And it requires increased confidence to report, whether by victims or those who see signs of violence and abuse – including friends, neighbours, health professionals and employers or colleagues. It’s a police priority to help victims promptly and effectively but the real success will be in stopping abuse happening in the first place.”
Chief Constable Peter Vaughan said today: “I am pleased at the way this work is building on the excellent relationships we have with the public and voluntary sector as we strive to tackle domestic abuse. We are seeing an increase in the reporting of domestic violence in the South Wales Police area which shows victims have greater confidence in the criminal justice service and partners. I want every victim to be able to report any attack.”
The plan is the result of a thematic review led by Deputy Commissioner Sophie Howe and Chief Supt Liane James. Statutory and voluntary sector agencies perform a key role in tackling violence against women and domestic abuse. The review has attempted to get a picture of what these agencies feel about the police approach as well as including the voices of victims, one of whom will share her story as part of the launch of the plan.
Many victims have talked about attending hospital for emergency treatment a number of times before approaching the police and therefore the plan aims to strengthen links between South Wales Police and the health sector to help increase the cases of violence that are reported to the police.
Sophie Howe, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner said: “It cannot be right that on average six women a month were killed in England and Wales during 2012/2013 by their current male partner or ex-partner. This type of thematic review allows us to explore current ways of working and identify areas for improvement. We are pursuing the Commissioner’s vision of an evidence-based preventative approach to crime and by providing a focus on women and girls we will make sure that more is done to reduce the serious inequality they face every year, particularly in relation to violence in the home. Wales has a real problem with domestic abuse with some of the highest levels compared to other English regions.
“The review has identified the need for more sharing of information with our partners and it sets out actions that South Wales Police will take on the three key issues of encouraging prevention, improving identification and intervention, and ensuring a victim-centred approach.”
The publication of the plan is timely as the Welsh Government Bill on ‘Ending Violence Against Women & Girls, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence’ is soon to be introduced in Wales. This is a priority for the Welsh Government and will place statutory obligations on agencies and others to work together to tackle this form of violence.
Mrs Howe added: “South Wales Police are making genuine progress in tackling violence against women and girls but there is more to be done and it is also important for all of us to prepare for the Welsh Government’s legislation.
“Unlike many forces across the county, South Wales Police have been identified by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary as treating these issues as a priority and as providing good services to victims. I have been impressed by the genuine commitment of South Wales Police senior officers and staff to tackling this issue and to being open to challenge in the desire to improve, wherever possible, for the benefit of victims.
“What has also come out of this process is the regard that partner agencies have for the work of the police. We now need to build on the good work that is being carried out individually and develop innovative and creative approaches for agencies to work together for the common good. Tackling violence against women and girls is a fundamental priority for all of us and an integral part of the Police & Crime Reduction Plan for South Wales.”
Some frightening statistics:
- Women in the UK experience an average of 35 incidents of domestic violence before reporting to the police.
- Across England and Wales the Police receive an emergency call relating to domestic abuse every 30 seconds.
- Women are more likely to be victims of domestic abuse than men. This is in contrast to all other types of violent crime where young men are more likely to be victims.
- On average 6 women a month in England and Wales were killed by their current or former partner in 2012/2013.
- A quarter of all women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime.
- Domestic abuse resulted in 77 women being killed by their partners or ex-partners during 2012/2013 across England and Wales.
- During April 2012 and March 2013 a total of 2,242 people were considered to be at risk of murder or serious harm in South Wales because of domestic abuse.
- The rate of domestic abuse is higher throughout South Wales than England and Wales overall.
