Violence against women given same status as child sex abuse

VIOLENCE against women and girls will be elevated to the same status as terrorism, Priti Patel will announce to coincide with the first anniversary of the murder of Sarah Everard.

Chief constables will be required to increase resources and combine capabilities in an attempt to help reverse the collapse in rape convictions and tackle the fall in public confidence in the policing of violence against women.

Violence against women and girls will be added to the strategic policing requirement, which will make it a national priority for forces alongside terrorism, serious and organised crime, and child sexual abuse.

Wayne Couzens, a Metropolitan Police officer, abused his powers to abduct, rape and murder Everard on March 4 last year. Police faced criticism after they placed the onus on women to check the credentials of officers who spoke to them on the street.

The Home Secretary said: “I will be working closely with our new national policing lead for keeping women and girls safe – Dept Chief Constable Maggie Blyth – on this change to ensure it is implemented quickly and efficiently.”

The move comes days after a watchdog said rape victims were being comprehensively failed by an “unfit for purpose” criminal justice system. Ministers are also considering whether a new specific offence of street harassment should be introduced.

Proposals include potential curbs on universities using gagging orders to cover up sexual harassment, an overhaul of security measures on streets and transport, and helplines for women to report sex assaults and unsafe locations.