Women’s Aid comment on the state of policing on the fourth anniversary of Sarah Everard’s murder

Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of Policy at Women’s Aid, said:  

“Four years ago this week, Sarah Everard was brutally murdered by a serving Metropolitan Police Officer. Our deepest thoughts go out to Sarah’s family and friends on this unimaginably hard day, as well as anyone who has been affected by police perpetrated abuse. 

Since Sarah’s murder, we’ve seen countless other cases of police perpetrated violence against women and girls (VAWG), leaving women’s trust in the police at an all the time low. Urgent action needs to be taken to address the systemic failures within policing so that women can get the justice they deserve. 

Several reports and investigations, such as the Angiolini Inquiry and Baroness Casey Review, have found evidence of institutional misogyny, racism, and homophobia, which contributes to a failure to protect women and children, especially those from Black, minoritised, and migrant communities. Forces must urgently accept Lady Angiolini’s recommendation to commit to being anti-sexist, anti-misogynist, and anti-racist, through mandatory training and the involvement of expert organisations in their recruitment and vetting processes.  

Additionally, police forces need to hold officers and staff accused of misconduct to account, to safeguard women or families impacted by VAWG from further harm. The recent ruling in the High Court on the Metropolitan Police’s vetting scheme highlights a continued lack of awareness around police perpetrators and puts women at risk of harm. Time and time again, evidence has shown profound issues in police vetting processes which allows for dangerous perpetrators, like Sarah’s killer, to join police ranks and exploit their power. Women’s Aid support recommendations made by the HMICFRS, and the 12-point plan for responding to police perpetrated abuse by the Centre for Women’s Justice.   

The upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, which includes the specific aim of tackling VAWG, presents an opportunity to real change but only if it considers all forms of male-violence. As it stands, domestic abuse, which is the most common form of VAWG, is not listed as a priority offence. The focus on the ‘highest harm’ offence, fails to acknowledge that nature of abuse and the risks that abusive behaviours bring. Sadly, the risk to survivors of domestic abuse is often classed as ‘standard’ or ‘medium’, overlooking the escalating patterns of abuse, which can result in homicide. The Government must work with domestic abuse services to ensure that expert insights into how perpetrators operate, and the risks of abuse, are included in the plans.  

There continues to be oversights and issues within policing which are putting women and children at serious risk of harm. These long-overdue changes need to happen now, so that women and children can be protected moving forward.”