Staffordshire charity predicting a sharp rise in cases of violence towards women and girls
It's as a new report from the police watchdog reveals offences across the country remain widespread
Last updated 19th Jul 2024
The boss of Staffordshire's Women's Aid says that abuse and violence against women and girls is still a huge problem across our area.
"I suspect we will continue to see high referrals, I don't see them referrals going down anytime soon." said Chief Executive, Charlotte Almond.
"It's certainly not the trend we're seeing and I expect demand to be high, particular with the demand of cases waiting to go to court. That will have an impact on us."
"Since the SURVIVE support service started in 2020 we've supported 2,386 men, women and children who've been affected by any form of sexual assault or abuse across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. "
It's as His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) reports that offences of violence against women and girls (VAWG) remain highly prevalent, despite an overall downward trajectory in crime rates.
The findings highlight that since 2015, the proportion of victim-based offences that are brought to justice has substantially declined, including sexual offences.
Top police chiefs have described the criminal justice system as dysfunctional and defective, and said its woeful state contributed to police inefficiency.
HMICFRS suggests that unacceptable court backlogs and a legal aid system are no longer fit for purpose, and that violence against women and girls cannot be addressed through law enforcement alone and requires a more rounded approach to tackling VAWG, which includes not only policing but other government departments including education and health.
Charlotte added: "Violence against women and girls is an epidemic - globally. It's going to take a long time to change that, but we must. That's about changing attitudes, changing values in society, making sure support is available and making sure perpetrators - those who perpetrate those crimes are held to account.
"Working with young people, but working with men as well. Men have to be part of the solution - they have to challenge and call out those behaviours. When you're in groups call out that misogynistic behaviour and I think everyone's got a role to play to ending violence against women and girls."