PSNI Adopts National Counter-Terror Approach To Tackle VAWG

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has announced a significant shift in its approach to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG). The force is adopting the same national framework used to combat terrorism and serious organized crime.

This decision comes in response to the tragic deaths of 30 women and girls in Northern Ireland at the hands of men between 2019 and 2024. The PSNI is determined to take a more robust and comprehensive approach to addressing this epidemic.

The revised national framework, published earlier this year by the National Police Chief’s Council, outlines a five-year plan for police services to work together to reduce VAWG. The PSNI's adoption of this approach marks a significant step forward in their efforts to build trust, pursue perpetrators, and create safer spaces for women and girls.

The announcement coincides with the second anniversary of the PSNI's dedicated VAWG action plan. The force has made progress in implementing the previous framework, but the recent murders of three women in Northern Ireland highlight the urgent need for a more comprehensive appYears one – two updates:[1]

Two years on (to end of August 2024), officers have made 3,025 arrests under new legislation (domestic abuse, stalking and non-fatal strangulation) and conducted hundreds of targeted patrols in their bid to relentlessly pursue perpetrators.[2] They have also put in place two stalking protection orders using new legislation.

Since the VAWG Action Plan was launched, 80 arrests have been made on average each month for the domestic abuse offence, there have been an average of 17 arrests each month for the offences of stalking and threatening and abusive behaviour, with 77 arrests each month for non-fatal strangulation.

In the twelve months to July 2024 there were 22,403 VAWG offences recorded. This is a reduction of -15.6% compared to the previous 12 months.[3] The decrease is partly as a result of the reduction in violence against the person offences due to an increase in preventative and deterring police activity and presence. [4] 

On 27th September 2022, the Police Service of Northern Ireland set out a clear seven year plan with 41 actions to affirm its commitment to building trust and confidence, relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and making all spaces safer for women and girls.

On the second anniversary today they have published their achievements to date, reporting that 33 of the 41 actions have already been completed, with progress made on the remaining eight. 

You can read the progress made to date here: www.psni.police.uk/VAWG  

Looking ahead to years three – seven: In February 2023, the Home Secretary included VAWG within the Strategic Policing Requirement, which means that the national policing response to VAWG should be on par with terrorism and serious and organised crime. The PSNI intend to adopt this new approach. 

The framework for delivery uses a '4P approach’, a tried and tested methodology that was developed in counter-terrorism. The 4P approach ensures a focus on being well prepared to tackle VAWG offending, that action is being taken to protect individuals, families and communities and that perpetrators of VAWG are being relentlessly pursued. This approach also has a focus on preventing VAWG, with a commitment from policing to support partners in taking the lead to a whole system approach to tackle VAWG.

Eight actions have been brought forward to complete in years three to seven and a further 13 have been added, these include:

• A review of previous cases of sexual impropriety and misconduct alleged against PSNI personnel to ensure appropriate investigative actions were taken

• Operationalise the introduction of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders / Notices

• Develop scrutiny panels for rape "no prosecution" outcomes

• Support the Executive Office with the development of a domestic abuse perpetrator strategy

Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony McNally, PSNI Tackling VAWG Lead said: "Violence against women and girls and femicide across Northern Ireland and indeed the world is an epidemic, it would be remiss of us as a Police Service to not fully acknowledge and appropriately respond to that.

"Too many women and girls in Northern Ireland have lost their lives at the hands of men and it has been publicly acknowledged by the Chief Constable and our senior leadership as a whole, that pre-dating our action plan there were shortcomings in our response which is unacceptable.

"Over the last two years we have worked extremely hard at building relationships with key partners, bolstering our training and challenging our own thoughts and behaviours in this space. As a result of targeted resourcing and relentlessly pursuing perpetrators we have seen a reduction in VAWG offences and an increase in outcome rates for victims.

"There is no doubt that we have made significant progress in our efforts but there is more work to be done. We are not complacent and as a learning organisation, we still have lessons to embed.

"Looking forward we are adopting the national tested methodology that was developed in counter-terrorism and showcases how serious we take tackling violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls in our communities.

"We know that policing only sees the tip of the iceberg and that there are women and girls out there who are still suffering in silence. My message through this action plan would be, please report to us. Have confidence in our ability to keep you and your family safe from harm. We want to help you and we want to see that justice is served to those who have hurt you in any way."