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Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Inquiry

One in five women in their lifetime are estimated to be victims of sexual assault or attempted assault. One in twelve are reported to be victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) annually. The true figure is likely to be much higher. 

The Government introduced its Tackling VAWG strategy in 2021, supplemented by the Tackling Domestic Abuse plan in 2022. The new Government has announced its Safer Streets mission, which aims to reduce serious harm and increase public confidence in policing and in the criminal justice system, and has committed to halve VAWG in a decade. 

Police-recorded VAWG-related crime increased by 37% between 2018 and 2023, according to the National Policing Statement for VAWG in July 2024. This found that over one million VAWG-related crimes were recorded during 2022/23, accounting for 20% of all police recorded crime. In 2025, the National Audit Office are examining the work of the Home Office and its partners to implement the 2021 strategy and the 2022 Domestic Abuse Plan. 

Based on the NAO report, the PAC will hear from senior Home Office officials on subjects including how Government will prioritise tackling VAWG and progress in preventing it. 

Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere. 

Please note that the Committee is unable to consider or assist with individual cases. If you are in immediate danger, contact the police. If you are not comfortable contacting the police you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.  

We may treat submissions confidentially, even where you have not requested this for a number of reasons. In reaching a decision in each case, the Committee considers:

  • The risk of disclosing sensitive personal information, including that of those who did not submit evidence to the inquiry
  • The long-term impact of publishing personal information into the public domain
  • The possibility of exposing vulnerable individuals, including those who are in emotional distress, dangerous circumstances, or financial instability
  • The submission’s relevance to the Committee’s inquiry
  • The risk of prejudicing any legal proceedings which may have begun or which may begin in the near future.

If you have evidence on these issues please submit it here by 23:59 on Thursday 27 February 2025.

Please note the Committee is unable to help with individual cases.

Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere.

 

This inquiry is currently accepting evidence

The committee wants to hear your views. We welcome submissions from anyone with answers to the questions in the call for evidence. You can submit evidence until Thursday 27 February 2025.

Read the call for evidence before submitting

Past events

No past events

Contact us

  • Email: pubaccom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 8480 (strictly media enquiries only – contact us via our email for general enquiries)
  • Address: Public Accounts Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA