Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Trust in police handling of violence against women remains low: Study

It found that only 24 per cent of 55 police case files on domestic violence, rape, and serious sexual assault resulted in charges.

Trust in police handling of violence against women remains low: Study

A REPORT by the University of Bristol reveals ongoing trust issues in policing violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly in Black and minoritised communities. Offenders in these cases are significantly less likely to face charges compared to other crimes.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, analysed police case files, officer feedback, and filmed responses to VAWG incidents. It found that only 24 per cent of 55 police case files on domestic violence, rape, and serious sexual assault resulted in charges.


Lead author professor Aisha K. Gill said, “This distrust perpetuates the problem and limits progress.” She noted that low charging rates are disproportionate compared to other crimes and cited Home Office data showing only 1.3 per cent of recorded rape offences result in charges or summons.

Officers acknowledged a lack of trust in police, particularly in minority communities. One officer said, “There’s a massive barrier in the Black community; there’s no trust in the police.” Another noted that many women feel uncomfortable speaking to male officers.

Challenges in gathering evidence and meeting Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) thresholds were also highlighted. Officers reported victims often blame police for decisions made by the CPS, and public confusion over their roles exacerbates mistrust.

Victim retraction was a key issue, with many withdrawing support after initial reporting. Co-lead author professor Sundari Anitha said, “In most cases, retraction occurred because the act of reporting itself seemed to fulfil the victim’s immediate needs.”

The findings will be presented this week to experts and community representatives in Bristol. The report was funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council.

More For You

Milton-Keynes

Eyewitnesses described hearing shouting before the shooting

iStock

Man shot dead by police outside Milton Keynes railway station

A MAN was shot dead by police outside Milton Keynes Central station after reports that he was carrying a firearm.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said officers were called to the station at 12:55, where they challenged a suspect carrying a knife. The man moved towards officers before police fired at him.

Keep ReadingShow less
EXCLUSIVE: Eastern Eye wins press freedoms to help judges

SCRUTINY: The tribunal’s favourable verdict is an important win for accountability, say current and retired Asian judges (Pic credit: Getty Images/Leon Neal)

EXCLUSIVE: Eastern Eye wins press freedoms to help judges

A tribunal has ordered the body which appoints judges in England and Wales to disclose records it refused to give to Eastern Eye.

The decision is a major victory for press freedoms because it forces the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to become more open and transparent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sunita-Williams-Reuters

Sunita Williams was part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission and had been stranded in space for over nine months. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters)

India looks amazing from space, says Sunita Williams

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams described India as "amazing" from space and expressed her intention to visit her "father's home country" to share her experiences on space exploration.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, she responded to a question about how India appeared from space and the possibility of collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less