New IOPC events aim to improve police response to violence against women

Domestic abuse support groups and women’s charities are sharing experiences of women and girls who’ve suffered physical and sexual violence, at a series of events arranged by the IOPC aimed at improving the police response to survivors.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is bringing the groups face-to-face with policing leads for violence against women and girls (VAWG) at regional events across England and Wales.

The events follow extensive IOPC engagement with more than 100 VAWG organisations, academics and activists who have disclosed survivors’ experiences of how police have dealt with their cases and any related use of the police complaints system.

IOPC Director and VAWG lead Amanda Rowe, said: “We have listened to stories of those who have been failed by the police or other agencies, and the impact it’s had on survivors.

“Our engagement has revealed key themes, barriers, patterns and trends from across the VAWG sector, plus suggestions for change to the wider police complaints system. We have also heard examples of good practice which are important to share.

“These events encourage the sharing of experiences and learning to help police forces better understand how policies play out in real life. They also give police forces a chance to share any improvements they have made directly with VAWG support services.”

The IOPC’s engagement work with VAWG groups identified recurring themes in police handling of cases involving women and girls with mental health, addiction or other vulnerabilities.

One charity said a big concern was a lack of empathy by police towards women in the street homeless community who’d reported a VAWG offence, with unhealthy stereotypes of ‘lifestyle choice’ clouding police judgement.

Many of the groups and individuals said there was need for improved cultural competency in policing to make trauma-informed decisions and interactions, and to avoid victim-blaming language.

“We heard one case,” added Amanda Rowe, “where a victim-survivor was asked to provide evidence, and witness names and contact details, three times by the officer in charge of the case. It was distressing and retraumatising to keep repeatedly providing this information.

“But it was also encouraging to hear examples of good practice. One initiative has seen an officer become a single point of contact for a women’s group to improve confidence among service users, listen to concerns or reports, and take action. Another force has created a Women in Policing Association which supports confidential reporting for women to speak up if they have witnessed or been victim of sexual behaviour in the workplace.

“The discussion groups I took part in were focused on constructive discussion and what third sector groups and the police can do to work more closely together and improve the experience for service users.

“We hope the events and conversations will drive meaningful improvements that reflect the needs of victims and survivors and lead to better, sustained engagement between policing and non-policing VAWG partners.”

The first IOPC VAWG events were held in April for Kent, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester Police force areas. Others will follow later this year in the North East, Midlands, Wales and South East England.

The IOPC is also holding a series of online workshops for complaint handlers in police forces and local policing bodies to share learning on the handling of VAWG issues. The workshops, which complement the engagement events, will convene policing stakeholders to share best practice, encourage peer learning and improve consistency. There are seven online workshops running from May to July this year.