Women's charities 'concerned about the deep cultural problem within police'
Cornwall and Devon charities have written an open letter to police
Women's charities in Devon and Cornwall have written an open to letter to police forces here - urging them to root out misogyny and sexism.
It follows a report which criticised internal vetting and cultures |newtab) at a number of forces, after eight were investigated by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services - which found 'inadequate recruitment and vetting procedures'.
The Women’s Centre Cornwall and Devon Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Services have jointly written an open letter to the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner.
They say they're 'concerned about the deep cultural problem within police'.
Figures from Devon and Cornwall police reveal a 19 per cent rise in the number of rapes and sexual offences reported to police across the peninsula in the year ended September 2022.
Of those 2,566 reported offences only 1-2% will lead to a charge. Even fewer will lead to a conviction – a historic low which is a travesty for victims.
Devon Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Services CEO, Caroline Voaden, said: “A deep cultural problem of sexism and predatory behaviour within the police has been exposed. We already know rape convictions are at a historic low. How can the public trust the police to respond to sexual offences appropriately if sexism is so prevalent?”
Women’s Centre Cornwall CEO, Jackie May added: “We are calling on Alison Hernandez to address the systemic misogyny which leads to these shocking figures. Devon Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Services and The Women’s Centre Cornwall have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner to ask for assurances that misogyny and sexism will be rooted out of the Devon & Cornwall police for good.”
How did Devon & Cornwall Police respond to report?
Assistant Chief Constable Jim Nye said: “Devon and Cornwall Police has robust vetting and recruitment procedures in place including pre-employment and vetting checks which are subject to review when a member of staff moves roles or needs their vetting status renewed.
“We also have a thorough delivery plan when it comes to misconduct and have procedures in place to help us identify where issues may exist.
“I would like to reassure our communities that none of those officers and staff identified within the national report were found to be in Devon and Cornwall Police and our vetting for officers and staff is up to date.
“We are pleased that the report makes reference to our cultural audit which includes regular and extensive consultation with officers and staff. This has helped us to reflect on the Force’s culture and improve our ability to detect and deal with any misogynistic and predatory behaviour in the workplace.
“It is only right that our communities expect us to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and we take a pro-active approach in communicating to our officers and staff that misogynistic, sexist or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated."
The joint letter from the Women’s Centre Cornwall and Devon Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Services:
Dear Alison Hernandez,
You will no doubt have read the report this week that highlighted a culture of ‘misogyny, sexism and predatory behaviour’ in the police, towards female officers as well as staff and members of the public.
A report has revealed police forces have accepted into their ranks officers who had already been charged with domestic abuse and sexual violence.
This comes in the same week that figures from Devon and Cornwall police reveal a 19% rise in the number of rapes and sexual offences reported to police across the peninsula in the year ended September 2022. Yet of those 2,566 reported offences only 1-2% will lead to a charge. Even fewer will lead to a conviction – a historic low which is a travesty for victims.
And more than four in ten rape victims will drop out of the criminal justice system during the process because it is too difficult and takes far too long.
We at Devon Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Services and The Women’s Centre Cornwall are very concerned about the deep cultural problem that exists within the police. If serving officers exhibit sexism and predatory behaviour, how can a woman who has been the victim of sexual violence have any confidence in the police? How can the public trust the police to respond to rape and sexual offences appropriately?
I am writing to you on behalf of all the women we support at our centres, who will have been deeply upset to hear about this report in the media. Women who have trusted the police with the most intimate and personal details when reporting a crime of sexual violence. Many of whom will have already felt let down by the police and criminal justice system.
Please can you tell us what you are doing to root out misogyny and sexism in Devon and Cornwall police? And can you assure us that all police vetting will be reviewed and any officer whose behaviour has caused or is causing concern is withdrawn from any role that involves contact with victims of crime?