Policing Trust Deficit in Violence Against Women and Girls: New Report Highlights Barriers

Policing Trust Deficit in Violence Against Women and Girls: New Report Highlights Barriers

(IN BRIEF) A University of Bristol-led report highlights significant trust issues in policing violence against women and girls (VAWG), especially in Black and minoritised communities, where low confidence in law enforcement deters victims from reporting crimes. The study revealed that less than 24% of domestic violence and sexual assault cases result in charges, reflecting systemic challenges in evidence gathering and prosecution. Officers surveyed acknowledged biases and the need for better community engagement and training. Funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council, the report calls for proactive policing, increased awareness, and a deeper understanding of why victims often disengage from the justice process to rebuild trust and improve outcomes for survivors.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRISTOL, 9-Dec-2024 — /EuropaWire/ —  A University of Bristol-led report has uncovered significant challenges in policing violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly within Black and minoritised communities, where trust in law enforcement remains critically low. The study, published alongside the conclusion of the UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, highlights systemic issues in achieving justice for survivors, including disproportionately low prosecution rates for such crimes.

Based on feedback from police officers, operational responses, and case file reviews, the report revealed that less than 24% of domestic violence and sexual assault cases led to charges, far below national averages for other offences. The findings echo broader concerns from recent policing reviews, such as the Casey Review and the HMICFRS report, which called for sweeping reforms in addressing institutional racism and failures in safeguarding women and girls.

Professor Aisha K. Gill, lead author and criminology expert at the University of Bristol, noted that distrust in law enforcement deters victims from reporting crimes, perpetuating the cycle of violence. Officers surveyed acknowledged this trust gap, particularly in racially minoritised communities, and emphasized the need for internal training to address unconscious biases and improve engagement.

The report also shed light on systemic obstacles within the criminal justice system. Officers cited difficulties in gathering sufficient evidence to meet Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) thresholds and victim reluctance to engage in prosecutions, with many retracting statements after initial reports. Co-author Professor Sundari Anitha from the University of Sheffield highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of why victims disengage, suggesting that broader dissatisfaction with the justice system, rather than cultural predispositions, often drives these decisions.

Funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council, the study underscores the importance of proactive policing and community engagement in rebuilding trust. Officers stressed the value of raising awareness about police procedures and fostering stronger relationships with local communities as key steps toward addressing these critical issues.

Paper

‘A matter of trust: Improving police responses to violence against women and girls in racially minoritised communities’ by A.K Gill and S. Anitha

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SOURCE: University of Bristol