Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Accepted
Lack of clear definitions for specific VAWG crime types hinders effective strategy and response.
Conclusion
The lack of clear definitions for some specific VAWG crime types also contributes to these challenges. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner told us that the government needs to decide a clear definition of so–called ‘honour’–based abuse55 while Professor Katrin Hohl described the current definitions of tech–faciliated abuses as “flimsy”.56 Written evidence submitted by the Muslim Women’s Network UK calls for official definitions of other recognised forms of abuse such as spiritual abuse and transnational abandonment (a type of domestic abuse) that are not currently mentioned across either the 2021 VAWG Strategy or 2022 Domestic Abuse Plan.57 52 C&AG’s Report, para 10 53 Q 46 54 VAWG0006 55 Q 4 56 Q 8 57 VAWG0026 18 3 Prevention Progress on prevention
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and will implement a broad suite of metrics by September 2025 to comprehensively measure VAWG, including a new headline prevalence measure and various sub-metrics for specific VAWG forms, such as online VAWG. Further details on these measures and data sources will be published in the VAWG Strategy.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: September 2025 5.2 The government will use a broad suite of metrics to comprehensively measure the ambition and work on tackling VAWG. This will include a headline metric on the prevalence of VAWG as reported through the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). This will be measured by a new combined measure of those who have experienced domestic abuse, and/or sexual assault and/or stalking in the previous 12 months. The target to halve VAWG within a decade will be set against this headline prevalence measure. 5.3 The government will use supporting headline metrics covering repeat domestic abuse, the prevalence of sexual harassment as measured by the CSEW, and female homicides. A range of other sub-metrics will be used to provide a more comprehensive picture of VAWG in society and measure the effectiveness of the interventions. The suite of sub-metrics will be set out in the new VAWG Strategy. It will include data related to forms of VAWG not covered by the headline or supporting headline metrics, such as online VAWG. The range of measures and data sources selected will ensure that victim interactions with services outside of policing and the CJS are captured, including education, housing and healthcare. This will allow the government to monitor the whole system response to tackling VAWG and the success of the range of interventions outlined in the Strategy. 5.4 The Safer Streets Mission provides the forum by which departments will share relevant information on VAWG. All government departments have contributed to the development of the performance framework, ensuring a range of metrics are included on the scale of VAWG and the full government response. Further detail will be published in the VAWG Strategy.