Women’s Aid responds to report on misconduct and misogyny in the police service

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published their report, ‘An inspection of vetting, misconduct, and misogyny in the police service’. The report was commissioned by the government following the murder of Sarah Everard.

Commenting on the report, Zainab Gulamali, policy and public affairs manager at Women’s Aid said:

“This report shows a series of serious failures when it comes to tackling sexism and misogyny within the police. It is little wonder that women tell us they have lost confidence in the police and that only one in five women report domestic abuse. Confidence is especially low in Black and minoritised women, Deaf and disabled, and those with insecure immigration status, who face extra barriers to accessing support.

“The government and police force leaders must acknowledge an urgent need for change. To restore women’s confidence in police, we must see an overhaul of the police recruitment, vetting and misconduct processes.  Mandatory training delivered by domestic abuse specialists across all levels of police is urgently needed, as well as a fundamental change in attitudes. All police forces must challenge and eradicate any sexist, misogynistic and racist attitudes that exist within their organisations- and indeed throughout society- which we know normalise violence against women and girls.

“We know women already fear being blamed, dismissed or disbelieved when reporting abuse. Much more needs to be done to show survivors they’ll be supported when coming forward.”