Correspondence

Police super-complaints: police use of protective measures in cases of violence against women and girls

Super-complaint made by the Centre for Women's Justice.

Documents

Press release - Police should change approach to using protective measures to safeguard women and girls

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Police failure to use protective measures in cases involving violence against women and girls: a super-complaint

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Evidence by anonymous contribution

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Evidence by Aurora New Dawn

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Evidence by Leeds Domestic Violence Service

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Evidence by local authority IDVA service

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Evidence by Local Sexual Violence Service

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Evidence by National Domestic Violence Helpline - Women's Aid

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Evidence by Paladin

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Evidence by Rape Crisis South London

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Evidence by Sarah Learmonth – London Metropolitan University

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Evidence by Southall Black Sisters

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Evidence by West London Rape Crisis Centre

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Details

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the College of Policing and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have published a report in response to the super-complaint submitted by the Centre for Women’s Justice about the police’s alleged failure to use protective measures to safeguard women and girls.

A joint investigation by HMICFRS, the College of Policing and the IOPC found that there were good examples of the police using these measures.

However, the investigation also identified a lack of understanding within police forces over how and when to use protective measures, which means support for victims is sometimes not good enough – and therefore victims may be less likely to report crime in the future.

As a result, these bodies have made recommendations for the police, the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and the Ministry of Justice to do more to help ensure all measures are used as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

The report also includes actions for HMICFRS and the College of Policing regarding their own work.

Responses to recommendations

Responses from bodies subject to recommendations and actions.

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Updates to this page

Published 29 April 2019
Last updated 7 June 2022 + show all updates
  1. Added link to the responses made by the bodies subject to recommendations in this report.

  2. Added an online HTML version of the report document: A duty to protect: Police use of protective measures in cases involving violence against women and girls

  3. The details text has been updated to reflect the publication of the super complaint report. The final report attachments are also added.

  4. Updated details section information.

  5. First published.

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