Violence against women declared a national emergency

Violence against women and girls has been described as a national emergency by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood as the government prepares to unveil a long awaited strategy aimed at halving such crimes within the next decade. Speaking ahead of the plan’s publication, Mahmood said her time in government had led her to a stark conclusion that the criminal justice system routinely fails women, leaving victims without the protection or justice they deserve.

Specialist police teams planned across England and Wales

A central pillar of the new strategy is the creation of specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams in every police force across England and Wales by 2029. These teams will be staffed by officers trained specifically to handle cases involving rape and serious sexual offences. The government says the aim is to end what Mahmood described as a postcode lottery in how such crimes are investigated, with outcomes often depending on where a victim lives rather than the facts of the case.

More than half of police forces already operate similar units, but the new plan would make them universal. Officers will receive specialist training to better understand the behaviour of abusers, the trauma experienced by victims, and the complexities involved in gathering evidence for these cases.

Learning from counter terrorism policing

The proposals have been welcomed by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who said the approach would build on tactics already used by the Met. He pointed to the force’s V100 programme, which uses data to identify men who pose the highest risk to women. Sir Mark said the Met applies the same determination used to combat terrorism when tackling violence against women and girls, and welcomed the government’s decision to extend this model nationwide.

Stronger protection through new court orders

The strategy also includes a nationwide roll out of domestic abuse protection orders, which have been piloted over the past year. These orders allow courts to ban perpetrators from contacting victims, approaching their homes, or posting harmful material online. They can also be used in cases involving coercive or controlling behaviour. Breaching an order is a criminal offence, giving police clearer powers to intervene.

Mahmood said early evidence from the pilot schemes was very positive, with a high number of arrests for breaches. She highlighted that the orders shift responsibility away from victims, who previously had to navigate complex legal processes themselves, and place enforcement firmly in the hands of the police.

Tackling online abuse and hidden threats

Almost two million pounds will be invested in specialist undercover police units operating online. These teams will focus on identifying and targeting individuals who harass or threaten women and girls on the internet, an area of abuse that has grown rapidly in recent years.

The government is also considering extending Clare’s Law, which currently allows people to ask police whether a partner or former partner has a history of domestic abuse. Proposed changes would include offences such as stalking, sexual assault, and harassment, broadening access to potentially life saving information.

Concerns over delays and systemic failures

The publication of the strategy has been delayed several times, prompting frustration among campaigners and MPs. A recent report found that more than a quarter of police forces in England and Wales had failed to implement basic policies for investigating sexual offences. It warned that sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces remain widespread and that poor data collection hampers prevention efforts.

Labour pledged in its election manifesto to use every available tool to address abuse and its root causes. It is understood the new strategy will focus on preventing the radicalisation of boys and young men, stopping known abusers, and improving support for victims.

Political criticism and pressure for action

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticised the announcement as too little and too late, arguing that the funding involved was limited and the delay unacceptable. He acknowledged that both major parties take the issue seriously but said the criminal justice system has become slow and bureaucratic, with changes to evidence disclosure rules contributing to delays.

For survivors of abuse, the message is simpler. Many have said that discussions and promises must now give way to rapid implementation. With violence against women formally declared a national emergency, expectations are high that the government’s response will finally match the scale and urgency of the problem.