Violence against women is now being recognised as a national emergency, according to a recent report from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). While this recognition is long overdue, the report highlights a stark reality: violence against women is becoming more severe, not less. In the 2022-2023 period, cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, exploitation, and child abuse in England and Wales rose by 37% compared to 2018-2019. Although part of this increase can be attributed to a greater willingness to report crimes, this does not explain the entire rise. We must carefully investigate what else is contributing to the growing dangers women face today.
A New Wave of Misogyny
One troubling factor is the radicalisation of young men by online misogynists who promote aggressive and harmful views about women. Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth has warned that this is a significant issue that must be taken seriously. More needs to be done by parents, educators, and tech companies to counteract this trend. Social media platforms, for example, have been criticised for their slow response in distancing themselves from toxic influencers like the disgraced YouTuber Andrew Tate, who is facing charges of rape and human trafficking in both Romania and the UK.
A Crown Prosecution Service study found that people under 25 are less likely than older generations to understand that consent cannot be assumed in the absence of physical force.
However, people like Andrew Tate may be a result of deep-rooted misogyny, rather than the cause of it. A recent NPCC report reveals that the average age of perpetrators of rape, sexual violence, or domestic abuse is 37 years old, indicating that these offenders are primarily adult men, not confused young individuals. These are grown men who often repeatedly and systematically abuse, harass, and seek to control women.
Alarming Statistics and a Weak Justice System
The statistics paint a bleak picture. Each year, approximately one in 20 adults in England and Wales, around 2 million people, will commit acts of violence, and one in 12 women will become a victim. The report does not address the uncomfortable question of how many offenders commit these crimes simply because they can—because they know they are unlikely to face consequences.
While the NPCC findings show that arrest and charge rates in rape cases are rising, the criminal justice system remains in utter disarray. Courts are so backlogged that victims of violence can wait years for justice, and many may choose to drop their cases rather than endure the prolonged trauma of an unresolved legal battle. Probation services are overstretched, prisons are overcrowded, and women’s refuges and social services are underfunded.
The Role of Law Enforcement and Policy Changes
The decision by the previous government to categorise violence against women and girls as a national threat was a step in the right direction. This policy shift has pushed police forces to treat the issue with the same level of seriousness as organised crime. Yvette Cooper, the new Home Secretary, is closely monitoring a Metropolitan Police initiative to identify and pursue the 100 most dangerous offenders in London, a program that could be extended to other forces if it proves successful.
Some police forces are also experimenting with preventative programs. For example, Essex Police have implemented an initiative that identifies behaviour patterns likely to lead to domestic violence and intervenes early, offering perpetrators help to change while closely monitoring them to protect potential victims. The success of such programs is measured by fewer women being harmed, not necessarily by an increase in convictions.
However, there is still a long way to go before we have a criminal justice system where women feel confident, they will be taken seriously, and repeat offenders genuinely fear getting caught. The current lack of deterrence is a significant gap that needs to be filled by the new government, which often highlights its commitment to justice.
Understanding the Deeper Issues
The question many women ask is why some men harbour such intense animosity toward them, as if understanding this could somehow put an end to the violence. While there may not be a straightforward answer to this painful question, one thing is certain in my eyes: crime always thrives in environments where it goes unpunished. The cultural environment in which boys are raised is undoubtedly important, but vigorous law enforcement is what ensures that violent actions have visible and inescapable consequences. I believe that once the consequences for these actions become apparent, we might begin to see a shift in culture.
Conclusion: An Urgent Call for Action
We will all agree, the rise in violence against women is a crisis that demands immediate attention. The contributing factors are complex and varied, from online radicalisation, poor upbringing, lack of love and discipline, cultural backlash to systemic failures in the criminal justice system. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving policy changes, better law enforcement, community engagement, and a commitment by everyone to challenging harmful attitudes. Only then can we hope to create a society where women are genuinely safe, and perpetrators of violence face the full weight of justice they deserve.
About the Author
My name is Robert Kaiser. I am the author of NEVER A VICTIM: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Safety, a book aimed at helping women prevent both physical and sexual violence. The UK edition will be available from on 20 November 2024, with an international edition following on 22 January 2025. Both editions will be available in hardcover and eBook formats, with audiobook versions scheduled for release in Spring 2025. This extremely comprehensive guide book contains 504 pages, over 110,000 words, and includes numerous safety recommendations highlighted to enhance women’s safety, and empower women to trust in their innate ability to protect themselves and stay safe.
Over the past three decades, I have dedicated myself to understanding violence against women, including sexual violence, specific acts of physical violence, and the individuals who perpetrate them. I have had the privilege of listening to and working with hundreds of female survivors of sexual and physical violence, whose incredible support I will forever appreciate. However, I have also engaged in extremely challenging and complex conversations with rapists, predators, and other criminals to help identify alarming behaviour traits and behaviour patterns. This allows us to predict future acts of violence and learn to prevent them.