Report finds urgent need to halt violence against women

A new report emphasizes the urgent need to prevent sexual and violent attacks against women and girls, four years after the murder of Sarah Everard. The latest findings from the Angiolini Inquiry reveal that over a quarter of police forces in England and Wales have yet to implement basic reforms in handling sexual offences.

The kidnapping and murder of Sarah Everard by serving police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021 triggered nationwide outrage and widespread demonstrations. Lady Elish Angiolini KC, who leads the inquiry, stressed that prevention must be the starting point. She also noted that the overall response to these crimes falls short compared to other high-priority offenses, which typically receive more funding and proactive measures.

Wayne Couzens, currently serving a whole life prison sentence, had been a police officer for nearly 20 years prior to the murder. In the months preceding the attack, he is reported to have indecently exposed himself on multiple occasions.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) has been described as a "national threat." In 2023, the government highlighted the importance of coordinated police responses and resource allocation to address such crimes on the same level as other national security threats. Lady Elish pointed out that until these disparities are corrected, VAWG cannot genuinely be regarded as a national priority.

The report also raises concerns about gaps in national data, including the number of women reporting rape and other sexual offences in public spaces. Without consistent data collection across police forces, patterns of offending cannot be properly identified.

Sarah Everards family expressed hope that the inquirys findings will lead to meaningful changes. They stated, "It shows how much work remains in preventing sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces and protecting those at risk. Sarah remains in our thoughts, and the inquiry continues to honour her memory. We recognize the urgent need for positive reform."

New recommendations in the second phase of the Angiolini Inquiry include encouraging bystander intervention through an expanded Good Samaritan law and consistent data collection and sharing at national and local levels. Farah Naz, aunt of Zara Aleena, who was murdered in 2022, emphasized the importance of taking the Good Samaritan law seriously and implementing it urgently. She highlighted that the report examines not only individual cases but also structural, cultural, and operational weaknesses that put women and girls at risk in public spaces.

Additional recommendations include improved street lighting, education promoting positive masculinity for men and boys, and clear public messaging on reporting crimes such as indecent exposure. The inquiry reinforces that Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer and criticizes the failure of three police forces to act, noting he could have been arrested as early as 2015.

Author: Sophia Brooks