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Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025-2030

This strategy has been informed and shaped by consultation with national and local community and voluntary sector stakeholders, prosecutors, criminal justice partners, academics, local authorities and other government departments.  We have themed our work around the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) priorities of increased casework quality and increased trust in the CPS.

We want the response to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) crimes to be of consistently high quality, underpinned by research and insight, with staff supported and trained to deliver high quality casework based on an ever-increasing understand of the dynamics of VAWG offending. We want the public and victims to have trust in the CPS and the work we do, with victims feeling supported through the criminal justice process. 

This strategy is also available to download in PDF format.

For more context on VAWG, please visit our Violence Against Women and Girls page.

Anjie

Priority 1: Increased casework quality

VAWG offending is evolving in complexity and sophistication, and this poses additional challenges for the criminal justice system. Advances in technology are enabling new ways of facilitating offending, including using tracking apps on phones to monitor victims, and dating apps enabling offenders to target victims online. Online-facilitated VAWG such as cyberflashing and intimate deepfakes, are some of the newest and more challenging forms of offending that society faces. For the Crown Prosecution Service to deliver high quality casework when prosecuting these complex cases, we need to develop new skills, increase our understanding of VAWG and work closer with our criminal justice partners. We will continue to engage across government to share our prosecutorial insight and ensure that new legislation designed to tackle offending is grounded in prosecutorial knowledge.

Recognising the very human context of every case is integral to understanding the impact of the alleged offending on the victim. That is why the suspect-centric, victim-focussed and trauma-informed approach is central to our VAWG casework. This approach to casework places the emphasis on assessing the actions of the suspect, focussing on the needs of the victim, and responding and communicating in a way as to reduce further trauma. We are also working with partners and stakeholders to better develop our knowledge and understanding of intersectionality and intersectional approaches and how different groups experience VAWG and the experience they have of the criminal justice system. This can only benefit our casework quality and outcomes for victims.

Aim for 2025-2030: We increase our casework quality when handling VAWG cases

Outcome: We effectively respond to the complex and evolving nature of VAWG.

Activity

  1. Develop and rollout new VAWG training modules on ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and stalking or harassment.
  2. Review and update guidance on ‘honour’-based abuse, reflecting the expansion of offending in this area.
  3. Develop a Stalking Action Plan to address the complexities and changing behaviours (including cyberstalking) exhibited within this type of offending.
  4. Develop a ‘honour’-based abuse, forced marriage and FGM Action Plan to strengthen our oversight and governance of these cases, including hosting a national multi-agency conference to share best practice,  raise awareness and promote partnership working to tackle HBA and FGM.
  5. Explore opportunities to increase and share knowledge on new and evolving technologies, to assist prosecutors with the complexities of new types of offending, particularly those committed using new technologies and in virtual spaces.
  6. Review and update prosecution guidance on domestic abuse to incorporate new learning and understanding.
  7. Embed the learning from expert research, conducted jointly by academics and policing colleagues, on the overlap between domestic abuse and rape and serious sexual offences into our work on VAWG.
  8. Effectively respond to the evolving nature of CSA and technology-facilitated CSA, by increasing our own knowledge and sharing our insights across government and agencies.

Outcome: We develop and articulate clear case strategies that are suspect-centric, victim-focussed, and trauma-informed within casework.

Activity

  1. Work with specialist organisations and experts on the psychological impact of trauma to develop new training on trauma for all prosecutors.
  2. Review and update VAWG prosecution guidance and training to embed learning on the suspect-centric approach from Operation Soteria, and suspect-centric narratives from Crown Prosecution Service research into the public understanding and attitudes to RASSO and consent.
  3. Working with the police, develop a process to ensure police and Crown Prosecution Service maximise opportunities to share examples of good work relating to Evidence Led Prosecutions and are aware of and utilise national guidance and tools for Domestic Abuse victims who are unwilling or unable to support a prosecution.
  4. Launch a RASSO Casework Strategy learning programme, blending case studies with reflective discussions to help prosecutors embed suspect-centric thinking and strengthen case strategy development.
     

Outcome: Our people’s wellbeing is valued.

Activity

  1. Evaluate the uptake and delivery of the RASSO Wellbeing Package, including reflective practice sessions, to explore which elements of the package could be rolled out to those working on VAWG cases.
  2. Explore assistance to better support employees within the organisation who are victims of abuse.
  3. Reaffirm and uphold our commitment to tackling abusive behaviours within the organisation, through our policies and ways of working.

Outcome: We work effectively with our criminal justice partners.

Activity

  1. Work with the NPCC to implement and deliver the Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan to improve the investigation, prosecution, and collective handling of domestic abuse cases.
  2. Review and update the joint protocols on the handling of VAWG cases between the Crown Prosecution Service and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), for example the protocol on the handling of ‘honour’-based abuse and forced marriage offences and the protocol on FGM.
  3. Work with the National Policing lead for Modern Slavery to increase prosecutions and to develop a best practice framework for the investigation of modern slavery.

Outcome: Our work is strengthened through an increased understanding of the impact of VAWG on different groups.

Activity

  1. Work with partners to ensure products, guidance and policies promote the understanding of intersectionality and application of intersectional approaches.
  2. Work with partners to influence improved accuracy and completeness of data collected on the protected characteristics of victims and suspects/defendants.

Priority 2: Trust

Being honest and open is one of the Crown Prosecution Service’s core values, and transparency and accountability around our performance and our decision making is a fundamental part of this. We are constantly learning and improving. We use a rich variety of sources to measure our performance, from our own performance data to Local Scrutiny and Involvement Panels (LSIPs).

We know that we don’t always get it right. We are grateful to the many people who have shared their experiences of the Crown Prosecution Service and continue to support us to make changes to improve the way in which we work. Our national and local stakeholders, including the Victims’ Commissioner, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and the London Victims’ Commissioner play an important role in holding us accountable for delivering on our commitments.

We know that there are cases where we have fallen short of providing the service that victims need and rightly expect: it does not reflect our aim of supporting victims through the criminal justice system and minimising further trauma. We are deeply committed to changing that – and to transforming the service we provide to every victim.

Recognising that the circumstances of every case are different, the Crown Prosecution Service has begun a programme of work with stakeholders to better understand and respond to cases where suspects or defendants are also a victim of VAWG. This work will increase our understanding of the barriers suspects and defendants may face to disclosing a history of VAWG and help us to more effectively identify victims in these cases.

Aim for 2025-2030: We increase trust in the Crown Prosecution Service handling of VAWG cases

Outcome: Victims are better informed about and supported through the criminal justice process.

Activity

  1. Pilot an improved service to all victims of crime who have their case charged by the Crown Prosecution Service. Victims in pilot areas will receive a phone call, email, or letter from the Crown Prosecution Service to explain our charging decision, giving them the opportunity to ask any questions, to hear more about what happens next and their rights under the Victims’ Code. We will also look to pilot an enhanced service for victims of high-risk domestic abuse.
  2. Deliver an enhanced service for adult RASSO victims that offers a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer and the offer of a pre-trial meeting with the Crown Prosecution Service.
  3. Evaluate and review benefits and impacts of the Victim Right to Review Pilot in the West Midlands for RASSO cases.
  4. Launch and implement Victims Service Standards, which sets out the level of service victims can expect to receive from the Crown Prosecution Service, along with their entitlements under the Victims’ Code, Crown Prosecution Service policies and guidance.
  5. Work with the NPCC to develop and implement a Joint Framework for Victim Communications, which sets out how police Witness Care Units and the Crown Prosecution Service should share information with each other, wider CJS agencies and victims to ensure that victims’ needs are met. The Framework will identify specific processes for information-sharing in cases of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences with adult victims.
  6. Produce a series of Special Measure victim video guides in partnership with criminal justice agencies, to improve overall victim understanding of Special Measures as a supportive tool.
  7. Conduct user research to review and develop the VAWG webpages on the Crown Prosecution Service website to provide accessible information, in clear and simple language.
  8. Review and update the Public Statement on male victims for crimes covered by the VAWG Strategy. Create a dissemination plan to support publication and rollout.
  9. Utilise local experts within Crown Prosecution Service Areas, such Victim Liaison Officers (VLOs), to increase our knowledge of VAWG support services and specialist organisations.

Outcome: Policy and practice are informed by engagement and scrutiny.

Activity

  1. Together with the police and partners, hold annual national scrutiny panels on VAWG cases to provide a collaborative forum for consideration, discussion, action, and learning, helping to develop best practice. Initially this will include national scrutiny panels on rape, ‘honour’-based abuse including FGM, and modern slavery.
  2. Develop a VAWG stakeholder communication and engagement plan for 2025-2030, including engagement with national and local organisations, the Victims’ Commissioner, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, the London Victims’ Commissioner, the Children’s Commissioner and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.
  3. Refresh the membership of the national VAWG External Consultation Group, to ensure it is reflective of the diversity of victims and the range of VAWG offences.

Outcome: Prosecutors explore reasonable lines of enquiry to better understand cases where the suspect or defendant of a crime is also a victim of VAWG.

Activity

  1. Incorporate points of learning and understanding about suspects and defendants who are also victims within relevant prosecution guidance and training.
  2. Work with stakeholders to understand the barriers to suspects and defendants disclosing history of VAWG and address the barriers that exist within the Crown Prosecution Service.
  3. Issue guidance on correct communication processes, particularly concerning communication with the defence.

Outcome: Key metrics and outcomes are publicly available, reported on, and owned at all levels for a full range of VAWG offences.

Activity

  1. Update guidance on accurately flagging VAWG cases and the importance of this practice for all staff.
  2. Explore the use of auto-flagging in some VAWG cases to improve the accuracy of flagging.
  3. Ensure that new Power BI dashboards include the ability to view and filter data and metrics for a range of VAWG offences to respond to data in a more agile way.

Outcome: Area level insights and Local Scrutiny and Involvement Panels (LSIPs) help identify emerging trends in our performance.

Activity

  1. Evaluate the use of the RASSO and DA Insights tools, reflecting on how data analysis has been used at national and local levels to inform solutions and priorities.
  2. Create a robust feedback mechanism to feed insights from Areas and LSIPs into a national repository which is used to strengthen policy and practice.

Cultural priorities

We know that this VAWG programme of work requires a reflective, trauma-informed and victim-centred culture. The culture of the Crown Prosecution Service impacts everything we do, how we do it, and everyone we encounter while doing our work: our colleagues, criminal justice system partners, victims, suspects and defendants, support organisations, and the public. It impacts how we are viewed, the experiences of those going through the criminal justice system and the confidence that victims and the public have in our ability to deliver justice fairly, openly, and independently.

To most effectively implement the actions set out in this VAWG Strategy and achieve the benefits we wish to see, we have identified five cultural priorities that will be at the centre of this strategy. These priorities have been grounded in the academic and Inspectorate reports into our work. The actions in this strategy will also reinforce the organisational culture we aspire to have in the Crown Prosecution Service.

Engagement with victims

We will support victims through the criminal justice system, aiming to minimise further trauma, and transform the service we provide to every victim.

New Victim Service Standards will help us to hold ourselves accountable for the level of service we should consistently provide to victims.
 

Case and trial strategy

We will ground robust case strategies in the suspect-centric approach, the identification and reframing of assumptions and misconceptions, and full consideration of how a case and the whole story of offending should be presented at court.
 

Self-reflection and learning

We will use the latest research and developments in the field of VAWG to improve our understanding and handling of VAWG cases as well as providing continuous learning and knowledge sharing opportunities for all staff working on VAWG cases. 

Prioritising wellbeing

Working on VAWG cases can be distressing, especially for those who work with graphic evidence and directly with victims and witnesses. Vicarious trauma can have a negative impact both on professional performance and personal wellbeing and relationships. Supporting our peoples’ wellbeing is an important part of equipping our teams with the right tools to carry out their role
 

Partnership working

Close joint working between police, prosecutors and other agencies, including support organisations, is key to driving up the number of successful VAWG prosecutions, identifying those who are repeat and serial offenders and the greatest threat, and to supporting and protecting victims from further harm.
 

Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions

The impact of violence against women and girls (VAWG) on victims, families and communities cannot be underestimated – and tackling this offending is essential to building a more just and equal society. As we look to the next five years, we will continue to prioritise improving our response to these cases – bringing more perpetrators to justice and making the public safer.

As an organisation, our aim is to deliver justice through independent, fair and effective public prosecutions. VAWG cases are some of the most complex and serious that we prosecute – and they require sensitive and expert handling. This strategy explains how our approach to tackling VAWG will prioritise two things: increasing casework quality and increasing trust in the CPS. 

We know that we need to improve our ability to respond effectively when handling these types of cases – making sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and that our charges accurately reflect the entirety of the offending. We also know that we need to take practical steps so that victims feel supported and heard during their engagement with CPS – we have not always provided a good service to victims, especially the most vulnerable, and we know we need to do better.

We also know that we can only make meaningful change by working effectively with our criminal justice partners, tackling our shared challenges together for the good of society. I am determined to do everything possible to make sure that victims can support a prosecution – and that includes reducing delays across the criminal justice system.

This strategy builds on a strong foundation. Several major programmes are already driving sustainable change, including the National Operating Model for adult rape, the Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan, and our ongoing work to improve the service we provide to all victims of crime – with additional, specialist support for victims of rape and serious sexual offences.

We have made good progress, but we are far from complacent. The government has stated its ambition to halve VAWG within a decade through the Safer Streets Mission, and we are determined to play our part by tirelessly and effectively prosecuting all those who target women and girls.

What the CPS has done

Case Studies of VAWG work in practice

 

Man who used AI technology to create child sexual abuse images jailed

 

A man who used a computer programme and AI technology to alter photographs of real children to create sexual abuse images, and encouraged the rape of children via the internet, pleaded guilty to 16 charges relating to child sexual abuse.

The police investigation found that the offender frequented encrypted internet chatrooms where he would exchange and sell computer- generated indecent images and discuss child sexual abuse with others. The offender accepted requests from individuals who wanted him to create explicit images depicting children being harmed sexually and physically, which he either sold or shared for free. Some of these computer-generated images requested used images of real children.

Over an 18-month period, he made around £5,000 from selling these images. Evidence from searches of his digital devices also found that on three separate occasions he exchanged messages on chatrooms which encouraged the rape of children under 13.

Jeanette Smith, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “It is extremely disturbing that the offender was able to take normal photographs of children and, using AI tools and a computer programme, transform them into images of the most depraved nature to sell and share online.

“The misuse of emerging technology to create this material is a serious crime which can have a detrimental impact on victims. Real children were victimised through the creation of this content.

“The Crown Prosecution Service has established a dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit where some of our particularly complex, sensitive, or detailed child sexual abuse cases are managed by specially trained prosecutors. These colleagues work closely with the police to build the strongest possible cases to give victims the justice they deserve.

“Technology is rapidly evolving and, unfortunately, so too is its risk to children. I hope this conviction sends a clear message to those who exploit this technology and inflict harm on children: you will be robustly pursued by law enforcement, prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service and brought to justice.”

The offender was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment with an additional six years on extended licence. Crown Prosecution Service guidance on Indecent and Prohibited Images of Children was updated in May 2024. This guidance supports prosecutors on the application of the law in cases where AI is used to generate indecent pseudo-photographs of children.
 

 

Man convicted of conspiring to commit FGM against young girl in legal first

 

In the first conviction of its kind, a man was found guilty of conspiracy to commit FGM and forced marriage after arranging for a child to travel from the UK to Iraq, where he had organised for her to be subjected to FGM and marry someone against her will.

His successful conviction was the first time a person in England and Wales had been convicted of conspiring to commit FGM.

Alan Murphy, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a complex case involving vulnerable witnesses, jurisdictional issues and very important communications evidence in local dialects of a foreign language. Key to the successful prosecution was the early downloading and screenshotting of conversations between the defendant and others. The quick translations of those messages, alongside early instruction of a cultural expert, enabled the Crown Prosecution Service and the jury, to fully understand the planning and intentions that underpinned them.

“Once the defendant’s plans for the victim were made clear, the focus of the case shifted to proving FGM was illegal in Iraq, as well as demonstrating that the defendant had committed a crime in England and Wales, where the Crown Prosecution Service has jurisdiction to prosecute.

“Instructing a legal expert in the law of Iraq, we pointed to the Iraqi penal code which outlined FGM as an offence. This forced the defence to drop their argument. We subsequently presented evidence showing the defendant had booked and paid for the trip to Iraq while living in England, proving he had committed an act in England and Wales as part of the conspiracy.”

“Combined efforts of the Crown Prosecution Service, the police, the National Crime Agency and instructed counsel was integral to the success of this prosecution.”

The former PhD student was initially sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment, but this was subsequently increased to seven years in the Court of Appeal following an Attorney General’s Reference.
 

 

Man handed 25-year extended sentence after 9-year campaign of abuse against former partner

 

The Crown Prosecution Service charged the defendant with 15 offences, including multiple assaults, counts of rape and controlling or coercive behaviour. These charges covered a 9-year campaign of abuse against the defendant’s former partner.

Key to the success of this case was close joint working between the Crown Prosecution Service, the police and counsel. Early conferences between the agencies involved ensured a consistent and collaborative approach, ensuring a proactive working relationship. These meetings ensured all parties understood the direction of the case, including how third-party material would be managed, and how to maintain effective communication as the case developed. Further discussions considered disclosure and forensic evidence, keeping priorities aligned.

Concerns were raised regarding the victim’s ability to remain involved with the prosecution, so practical steps were put in place to ensure she was fully supported throughout the process.

Through early telephone contact with the victim, the prosecutor explained the role of the Crown Prosecution Service and the court process, for which the victim expressed that they were grateful. The prosecutor arranged for a point of contact to be available for the victim to speak with when she attended court. At the hearing they brought the victim into the witness area, showed her the court and introduced her to counsel on that day.

Michael Gallacher, Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “This was a harrowing and distressing case for the victim. It took courage for her to support a prosecution but with joint working and support from the police, Crown Prosecution Service and counsel she was able to navigate the stressful process of a trial. This brought her to a conclusion; she now has closure and legal protection moving forward. She personally expressed her thanks to me, which was extremely rewarding, and arranged for her son to draw a picture which was presented to counsel on the day of the verdict. It was a stark reminder of how our work is integral to securing justice and closure for victims.”

Baljit Ubhey, Director of Policy

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) has been a priority in the CPS for many years. In 2008, we were the first government department to publish a VAWG Strategy. Since then, we have dedicated significant resource to building our expertise when handling VAWG cases – this commitment has not faltered, and remains today. We will continue to lead the way in this space, pushing for greater improvement and deeper knowledge of these crimes to best support victims. Through prosecution insights, academic research, and engagement with victims and third sector experts, our knowledge of VAWG continues to grow and develop.

While we have made great strides, we do not shy away from the work we still need to do. There are still too many cases where we don’t get things right, or we don’t provide victims with the support that they need. As the Senior Responsible Owner for this work, I am determined to see the cultural changes that we have identified in this strategy fully embedded for the benefit of all: victims, defendants, communities, and our own colleagues.

The VAWG Strategy is not just a document; it is a clear plan of action. A commitment to continuous improvement, learning, and responding to societal shifts. It is about building on our successes, learning from our experiences, and listening to the voices of those we serve. The value of the community and voluntary sector cannot be overstated: their insights and contributions are vital to our understanding and approach to VAWG. As we move forward, we will continue to work together in partnership to make sure our policies are evidence based, effective, and compassionate.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the development of this strategy. Your dedication and expertise are integral to our progress. Together, we will create a society where justice is served, victims are supported, and violence against women and girls is eradicated.

Terminology

Language and terminology are important in the criminal justice system, and it is acknowledged that a range of terms are used by different organisations. Below are the terms and definitions as used in this strategy.