The intersection of gender, violence, and safety is a critical issue affecting marginalised communities. Women, transgender people, and gender non-conforming individuals experience violence at disproportionate rates compared to their cisgender male counterparts. A recent report by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) declared violence against women in England and Wales as a "national emergency." Rising rates of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and other forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) highlight the urgency of addressing these issues effectively (GOV.WALES) (HMICFRS).
Inconsistent Police Responses
Despite improvements in police responses, significant inconsistencies persist in handling cases across different forces. This inconsistency undermines trust in the system and leaves many victims without adequate support and justice (HMICFRS) (Policing Insight). The NPCC report emphasises the need for a coordinated, whole-system approach involving not just the police but also the healthcare, education, and housing sectors. It calls for a shift in prioritisation similar to counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the need for better funding and a relentless pursuit of perpetrators.
Efforts to Improve Data Collection and Analysis
Efforts are underway to improve data collection and analysis, which are crucial for developing effective interventions. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has integrated more comprehensive health data and is enhancing harassment measures and other forms of VAWG. Recent data from the ONS highlights several critical points:
Prevalence of Domestic Abuse: The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.1 million people aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023, with 1.4 million of these being women. This significant burden underscores the need for targeted interventions (ONS).
Sexual Offences: Data collected for the year ending March 2022 showed that unwanted sexual touching was the most common type of sexual assault experienced. The prevalence of sexual assault among adults aged 16 to 59 years has fluctuated between 1.5% and 3.0% over the last 17 years. The number of sexual offences recorded by the police reached the highest level, with 193,566 offences recorded in the year ending March 2022 (ONS).
Harassment: A new module introduced in the Crime Survey for England and Wales aims to capture the broad nature of harassment, including sexual and non-sexual harassment experienced in any setting. This step aims to fill significant evidence gaps around the experiences of harassment (ONS).
Health Data Integration: The ONS has collaborated with NHS Digital to analyse data from emergency care settings to provide proxy measures for VAWG-related abuses. While some challenges exist due to incomplete data, these efforts are crucial for understanding the intersection of health and violence (ONS).
Children's Safety Survey: Transformations are underway to improve the measurement of crimes against children, particularly girls. This includes piloting a new online survey to replace the Children’s Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS).
Personal Experience and the #MeToo Movement
To underscore the importance of these statistics and reports, I'd like to share a personal story that aligns with the #MeToo movement. One evening, I conversed with my twenty-something daughter about the #MeToo movement. As we discussed some of the leading stories of the time, my daughter said, "#MeToo." I was shocked that I never knew this had ever happened to her.
As we began talking about all the ways women, including trans+ women, experience sexualisation and violence from men, I began to say "#MeToo." From the verbal assaults of being catcalled, whistled at, and told to smile because it makes me prettier to feeling unsafe in lifts alone with a man, inappropriate sexual comments, and accidental touches. It was then that I clearly understood that being feminine in a patriarchal society was taken for granted as strictly for the pleasure of men. If we didn't meet their expectations, there was an unwritten rule that they could take liberties even when inappropriate. As punishment, they would hold us down economically, prevent us from having equal representation, and risk our bodies for their pleasure, thereby perpetuating a feeling of being unsafe.
Through this experience, I reshaped my discussion on safety as the recognition of the first loss of male privilege from my gender transition. Before any reader wishes to chime in with "not all men," I know it's not. But can you tell us who the ones are that we need to watch out for because you are not holding them to account and allowing the negative consequences of a patriarchal system to hold you and others to the same low standard?
Addressing the disproportionate rates of violence against marginalised communities requires a multifaceted approach. Enhanced data collection, consistent police responses, and coordinated efforts across sectors are essential for creating safer environments for all individuals. By prioritising these measures, we can work towards a society where everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression, is treated with dignity and respect.
This article calls on policymakers, law enforcement, healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders to unite in an effort to combat violence and ensure safety for all.