Prosecution guidance search

Displaying 1 - 10 of 20 results for subject area "Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse"

Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate or Family Relationship

updated: 24 April 2023, 7 February 2025

Section 76 Serious Crime Act 2015 (SCA 2015) created the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship (CCB). It can be tried summarily or on indictment and has a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Prosecution Guidance Domestic abuse Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Strangulation and suffocation

Updated: 31 May 2023, 11 Dec 2024, 11 Sept 2025, 13 Nov 2025

Prosecution Guidance Domestic abuse Sexual offences Violent crime Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Rape and Sexual Offences - Overview and index of 2021 updated guidance

Updated: 31 January 2024

This new interim legal guidance published on 19th October 2020 replaces the previous guidance on rape and sexual offences most recently updated on 18th March 2019.

Prosecution Guidance Sexual offences Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Pre-Trial Therapy

Prosecution Guidance Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Pre-Trial Therapy - Accompanying note for therapists

This accompanying note is to provide complementary information for therapists to the CPS Legal Guidance on Pre-trial Therapy. It does not have the force of guidance but is intended as a helpful complement to our guidance for therapists to better understand the criminal justice process and how this can impact clients who have been victims of a criminal offence. This accompanying note has been drafted with significant input from an expert advisor.

Prosecution Guidance Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Child Abuse (non-sexual)

Updated: 16 August 2023

Prosecution Guidance Domestic abuse Violent crime Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Indecent and Prohibited Images of Children

Updated: 30 June 2020; 7 May 2024

This guidance provides practical and legal guidance to prosecutors dealing with cases of indecent and prohibited images of children.

Prosecution Guidance Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Stalking or Harassment

; renamed and revised 24 April 2023; minor updates 6 October 2023, 22 April 2024 and 22 January 2025

This legal guidance addresses behaviour which is repeated and unwanted by the victim and which causes the victim alarm or distress. Cases involving stalking and harassment can be difficult to prosecute, and because of their nature are likely to require sensitive handling, especially with regard to victim care. The provision of accurate and up-to-date information to the victim throughout the life of the case, together with quality support and careful consideration of any special measures requirements are essential factors for the CPS to consider.

Prosecution Guidance Cyber / online crime Domestic abuse Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

Female Genital Mutilation

Updated: 30 July 2024; 16 August 2023

Prosecution Guidance Sexual offences Violent crime Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse

'Honour'-Based Abuse and Forced Marriage: Guidance on Identifying and Flagging cases

Revised: Sep 2019; 26 Feb 2026

The definition of forced marriage to be used will be in line with the offence under section 121 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Prosecution Guidance Domestic abuse Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Child Abuse