Original title
Tackling violence against women and girls
Language: English
Audit Description
Over one in four women are estimated to be victims of sexual assault or attempted assault in their lifetime, and one in 12 women are victims of VAWG each year, although the actual number is likely to be much higher. The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported that, in 2022-23, 20% of all police-recorded crime was related to violence against women and girls. Violence against women and girls can have long-term impacts on victims, affecting them physically, mentally, socially and financially. In 2021, the then government introduced its strategy, “Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls” (the VAWG Strategy), which outlined a series of commitments focused on:prevention – to deliver long-term cultural and societal change supporting victims – to increase support for victims and survivors including providing support services that are run by and for the communities they serve pursuing perpetrators – to transform the criminal justice response to ensure all perpetrators of offences against women are brought to justice building a stronger system – working with multiple government departments to develop a joined-up system across health, justice, law enforcement, housing, social care and education In 2021, the Domestic Abuse Act received Royal Assent, and in 2022 the Home Office published a separate “Tackling Domestic Abuse” Plan (the Domestic Abuse Plan). The Home Office leads on the government’s response to tackling VAWG, including domestic abuse. However, achieving progress requires the commitment of multiple government departments. There are important roles for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Ministry of Justice and other parts of the criminal justice system, the Department for Education and NHS England in, for example, identifying victims and supporting them to feel safe, educating young people in safe relationships and ensuring justice through the courts and prison systems.
Documentation
Audit report
Contact
international@nao.org.uk
https://www.nao.org.uk/
METAINFO
Database
Audit
Audit ID
1740674008609
Year
2025
Author (country)
United Kingdom
Type
Performance
Type of performance
Performed by single SAI
Topic (subject)
Justice and Law Enforcement
