Police response to violence against women and girls - Final inspection report

Published on: 17 September 2021

Publication types: Coercive and controlling behaviour, Domestic abuse, Female genital mutilation, Forced marriage, Harassment and stalking, Honour-based violence, Rape and VAWG

Police Forces: All local forces in England and Wales

Background

In March 2021, the Home Secretary commissioned Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to inspect the effectiveness of police engagement with women and girls.

This report sets out findings from our inspection of how effectively the police respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG (PDF document)) offences. These are violent and high-harm crimes that disproportionally affect women and girls, such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking and female genital mutilation.

Recommendations of our July 2021 interim report

In July 2021, we published an interim report on our initial findings and recommendations. This was to inform work on the Government’s revised tackling VAWG strategy.

The interim report was based mainly on our review of evidence from our previous inspections and from our consultations with experts

Download the report

Police response to violence against women and girls – Final inspection report (PDF document)

Read the report online

Police response to violence against women and girls – Final inspection report (HTML)

Get the press release

New cross-system approach needed to end epidemic of violence against women and girls