The National Audit Office (NAO) released a scathing report on January 31, 2025, criticizing the UK government’s response to violence against women and girls (VAWG), highlighting it as ineffective amid rising incidents of such violence. The NAO indicated the government has failed to lead "an effective whole-system response" and noted the disjointed strategies have left victims without improved outcomes.
According to the report, published by the NAO, the incidences of recorded rape and sexual assault have skyrocketed—from 34,000 cases to 123,000 between 2009-10 and 2023-24. The percentage of women aged 16 to 59 who reported having suffered sexual assault increased from 3.4% to 4.3% during the same period, raising alarming concerns about the safety of women and girls across England and Wales.
"Government’s efforts to tackle violence against women and girls have not yet improved outcomes for the victims of these crimes," stated Gareth Davies, head of the NAO. The report criticized the Home Office for not fully comprehending the extent of the resources dedicated to addressing VAWG, and it specified the Home Office's historically low charge rates and long wait times have led many rape victims to drop out of the legal process. Meanwhile, only a minority of domestic abuse cases recorded by police result in charges, particularly concerning, considering the rise in reported incidents.
Despite the Conservative government’s introduction of the VAWG strategy and other initiatives since 2010, the report emphasizes there has been little evidence of substantial progress. "The Home Office does not know what effect the government's work is having on VAWG," the report highlights. The lack of coordination across government departments leaves the police and support services struggling to meet community needs adequately.
Labour now holds the reins of government and has pledged to halve VAWG within the next decade, presenting significant challenges. Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, expressed disappointment at the government's failure to focus on prevention. "The lack of attention to prevention is deplorable, especially as we know VAWG is significantly under-reported," Simon stated.
The report also mentions the chilling public confidence crisis surrounding the justice system. Abigail Ampofo, interim CEO of Refuge, remarked, "Confidence in the justice system is at an all-time low, and every day survivors continue to be failed, which is having devastating consequences." This sentiment echoes throughout the sector, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
The NAO findings emerge four years after high-profile cases prompted governmental action, including the tragic murders of Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard. Critics argue the current government strategies have not addressed the root causes of violence against women and girls effectively, nor have they provided much-needed support for survivors.
Underspending by the Home Office has compounded these issues. Historical records mention the office has underspent its allocated budget for VAWG initiatives by approximately 15% between 2021-22 and 2023-24. This lack of financial commitment raises questions about the future of resources dedicated to tackling these crimes.
While the Home Office has reported meeting 78% of its 126 commitments by July 2024, many of these were not genuinely new initiatives and often revolved around administrative tasks such as holding meetings and publishing guidance. The report criticized the government’s priorities, stating most prevention efforts have been focused on reducing reoffending rather than preventing initial offenses.
The impact of ineffective strategies extends far beyond statistics; it manifests in real pain and trauma for victims. The prevalence of sexual assault, coupled with low conviction rates—like the staggering average of 158 days between police referral and Crown Prosecution Service charging—imposes terrible barriers for victims seeking justice.
Victims' commissioner Helen Newlove reiterated the need for comprehensive changes across various sectors, stating, "We cannot simply police our way out of this crisis; effective leadership and coordinated action across all sectors is desperately required." She urged the government to acknowledge the societal importance of addressing VAWG instead of treating it merely as another administrative issue.
The new government has committed to developing and implementing another VAWG strategy expected by Spring 2025. Meeting the ambitious target will necessitate strong cross-government leadership, enhanced accountability, and genuine collaboration among all departments to create meaningful change for the safety of women and girls.
With rising violence rates and calls for action ringing louder than ever, the situation demands urgent and decisive responses. Only through concerted efforts can the government hope to change the narrative for women and girls affected by violence.