27/09/24
PSNI adopts counter-terror tactics to fight VAWG
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)has adopted the national counter-terror approach to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The National Police Chiefs Council published a revised national framework earlier this year, which outlined how police services will work to tackle violence against women and girls.
Two years ago, the PSNI launched the first Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan using the then national framework for delivery. The plan laid out actions policing committed to take to build trust and confidence, relentlessly pursue perpetrators and create safer spaces. The PSNI has now launched a new approach for years three to seven.
Over the last month, three women have been murdered in Northern Ireland. 30 women have been murdered by men from 2019 to 2024.
From September 2022 to August 2024, officers have made 3,025 arrests under new legislation (domestic abuse, stalking and non-fatal strangulation) and conducted hundreds of targeted patrols.
Since the original VAWG Action Plan was launched, 80 arrests have been made on average each month for the domestic abuse offence, there have been an average of 17 arrests each month for the offences of stalking and threatening and abusive behaviour, with 77 arrests each month for non-fatal strangulation.
The new framework for delivery uses a 4P approach. Eight actions have been brought forward to complete in years three to seven and a further 13 have been added. New actions include a review of previous cases of sexual impropriety and misconduct alleged against PSNI personnel to ensure appropriate investigative actions were taken and operationalising the introduction of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders/Notices. Other actions include developing scrutiny panels for rape “no prosecution” outcomes and supporting the Executive Office with the development of a domestic abuse perpetrator strategy.
Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony McNally, PSNI Tackling VAWG Lead said: “Violence against women and girls and femicide across Northern Ireland and indeed the world is an epidemic, it would be remiss of us as a Police Service to not fully acknowledge and appropriately respond to that.
“Too many women and girls in Northern Ireland have lost their lives at the hands of men and it has been publicly acknowledged by the Chief Constable and our senior leadership as a whole, that pre-dating our action plan there were shortcomings in our response which is unacceptable.
“Over the last two years we have worked extremely hard at building relationships with key partners, bolstering our training and challenging our own thoughts and behaviours in this space. As a result of targeted resourcing and relentlessly pursuing perpetrators we have seen a reduction in VAWG offences and an increase in outcome rates for victims.
“There is no doubt that we have made significant progress in our efforts but there is more work to be done. We are not complacent and as a learning organisation, we still have lessons to embed.
“Looking forward we are adopting the national tested methodology that was developed in counter-terrorism and showcases how serious we take tackling violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls in our communities.
“We know that policing only sees the tip of the iceberg and that there are women and girls out there who are still suffering in silence. My message through this action plan would be, please report to us. Have confidence in our ability to keep you and your family safe from harm. We want to help you and we want to see that justice is served to those who have hurt you in any way.”
Related Links
Back to index