POLICE record more than 3,000 incidents a day of violence against women and girls.
An estimated one in 12 females across the UK become a victim every year in the “epidemic”.
Police are recording more than 3,000 incidents a day of violence against women and girls in the UK[/caption]The figure is up 37 per cent in four years and the category now accounts for a fifth of all recorded crime.
A report also says the number of suspected victim suicides is increasing.
Perpetrators are getting younger — with misogynistic social media influencers blamed for a spread of young men’s damaging behaviour.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing want to see a National Centre for Public Protection to oversee a “whole system” approach to “turn the tide”.
It would involve police, the courts, government bodies and specialist women’s services.
Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said counter-terror methodology would be used to “systematically pursue the highest harm offenders”.
Sophie Francis-Cansfield, from Women’s Aid, added: “Violence against women and girls is a national threat.
“Without meaningful collaboration and action, women and children will continue to be failed.”
Domestic violence minister Jess Phillips said the new Government’s mission was to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
She promised that it would be treated as “the national emergency that it is”.
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.