Violence Against Women and Girls
- Introduction
- Performance Information, including annual Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) reports
- Policy and guidance across all strands of VAWG
- Archived publications pre-2018 by strand
Introduction
The CPS developed a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, not only as a result of the importance the Service places on improving prosecutions of these crimes and supporting victims, but also in recognition of the United Nations, Council of Europe and End Violence Against Women Campaign initiatives and as part of the cross-government VAWG strategy (the cross-government VAWG narrative and action plans are available from GOV.UK. Our commitment to this work is reflected in the fact that CPS includes Violence Against Women and Girls in its key priorities. This section provides links to policy and guidance reports on Violence against Women and prosecution performance information. It includes VAWG work in relation to:
- domestic abuse;
- forced marriage;
- honour-based violence;
- female genital mutilation;
- rape and sexual offences;
- prostitution;
- human trafficking;
- child abuse; and
- pornography
In recognising these forms of violence against women and girls, the CPS does not neglect abuse directed towards men or perpetrated by women. Male victims will receive the same access to protection and legal redress and the gender of the perpetrator does not make any difference to the CPS approach to bringing offenders to justice.
The 2018-19 CPS VAWG Report will be published on 12 September 2019 (provisional).
NB: Publications prior to 2014 can be found in the National Archives' record of the CPS website
Performance Information
CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2018-2019
This is the twelfth Crown Prosecution Service Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report. It covers the following strands of Violence against Women and Girls: child abuse; domestic abuse; forced marriage; harassment; honour-based violence; human trafficking; pornography; prostitution; and rape and sexual offences. The report outlines our prosecution progress over the last decade and in 2018-19.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF/Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls report 2018-2019 - English PDF (approx 2.8 mb)
- Adroddiad Trais yn erbyn Menywod a Merched 2018-2019 - dogfen PDF yn y Gymraeg (oddeutu 3 mb)
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls report 2018-2019 - Statistics (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
- Rape by types and age band statistical report (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
- Underlying data relating to the twelfth CPS Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report 2017-2018
- Pre-release list for VAWG report 2018-2019 (PDF document)
Policy and Guidance across all strands of VAWG
Violence against women and girls
CPS 2017-2020 Violence Against Women strategy and action plans
The CPS Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy 2017-2020 sets out the vision for developing our VAWG work in line with the wider CPS and cross-government VAWG Strategy Objectives.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: CPS 2017-2020 Violence Against Women Strategy and 2017-2018 Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan. Adobe PDF documents, approx 363kb and 280kb.
CPS public statement on male victims for crimes covered by the CPS VAWG Strategy
As part of the revised CPS VAWG Strategy the CPS has produced a Public Statement on male victims of offences including rape, domestic abuse, harassment, stalking and child sexual abuse. The CPS has always been committed to securing justice for all victims, both male and female, and applies policies fairly and equally.
This new public statement sets out plans including: giving prosecutors more information to help them better understand the experiences of male victims and working with third sector organisations and campaign groups to challenge gender stereotypes and improve reporting.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: CPS public statement on male victims for crimes covered by the CPS VAWG Strategy. Adobe PDF document, approx 204kb.
Violence against Women prosecution guidance
This sets out the CPS' policy and guidance in relation to violence against women and girls.
Available online in the Legal Guidance section on this site: Violence Against Women prosecution guidance
Toolkit for prosecutors on Violence Against Women and Girls cases involving vulnerable victims
The purpose of this Toolkit is to support prosecutors dealing with Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) cases involving a vulnerable victim.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: Toolkit - approx 253kb
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse guidelines for prosecutors
This sets out the CPS' policy and guidance in relation to cases of domestic abuse
Available online in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Domestic abuse guidelines for prosecutors
Domestic abuse charging advice sheet
The domestic abuse charging advice sheet has been prepared for police officers and prosecutors to further clarify the existing requirements around police referral of domestic abuse cases to the CPS in accordance with the Director's Guidance on Charging. Published October 2015.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: Domestic Abuse Charging Advice Sheet. Adobe PDF document, approx 363kb.
Rape and sexual offences
Rape prosecution policy and guidance
These set out the CPS's policy and guidance in relation to cases of rape:
- CPS policy for prosecuting cases of rape - online
- Rape prosecution policy (updated 2012) (PDF) - download
- Polisiâr CPS ar Erlyn Achosion o Dreisio (adnewyddwyd 2012) (PDF) - download
- CPS prosecution guidance on rape and sexual offences - online
Rape cases - Police referral to the Crown Prosecution Service for early investigative and other advice
Rape is an indictable-only offence which must be tried in the Crown Court. Accordingly the decision to charge must be made by a Crown Prosecutor in accordance with the provisions of the Director's Guidance on Charging. This document provides further guidance for police and prosecutors about the existing requirements for early investigative and other advice.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: Rape cases - Police referral to the Crown Prosecution Service for early investigative and other advice. Adobe PDF document, approx 141kb
What is Consent?
This aide-memoire focuses on consent, as allegations of rape often involve the word of the complainant against that of the suspect. The aim is to challenge assumptions about consent and the associated victim-blaming myths/stereotypes and highlight the suspect's behaviour and motives to prove he did not reasonably believe the victim was consenting.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: What is Consent? - approx 96kb
Prosecution guidance on perverting the course of justice - charging in cases involving rape and/or domestic abuse allegations
This sets out the CPS' legal guidance on cases of perverting the course of justice where allegations of rape and/or domestic abuse are involved.
Available in the prosecution guidance section of this website: Perverting the course of justice - charging in cases involving rape and/or domestic violence allegations
Under the spotlight - Charging Perverting the Course of Justice and Wasting Police Time in cases involving allegedly false rape and domestic violence allegations (2013)
Joint report to the Director of Public Prosecutions by Alison Levitt QC, Principal Legal Advisor, and the Crown Prosecution Service Equality and Diversity Unit. Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: Under the spotlight - Charging Perverting the Course of Justice and Wasting Police Time in cases involving allegedly false rape and domestic violence allegations (2013)
Stalking and Harassment
Prosecution guidance on stalking and harassment
This sets out the CPS' prosecution guidance on cases of stalking and harrassment.
Available online in the Prosecution Guidance section: Stalking and Harassment prosecution guidance
Joint protocol on the appropriate handling of stalking or harassment offences
This Joint protocol between the Crown Prosecution Service and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), published on 11 September 2014 and revised on 23 May 2018, sets out the principles governing the investigation and prosecution of stalking or harassment offences.
Joint Protocol on the Appropriate Handling of Stalking Offences - PDF (approx 173kb)
So-called ‘honour-based’ violence (including forced marriage and female genital mutilation)
Guidance on identifying and flagging cases of forced marriage and so-called 'honour-based' violence
This sets out the CPS' guidance on identifying and flagging cases of forced marriage and so-called 'honour-based' violence
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Forced marriage and so-called 'honour-based' violence identification and flagging guidance
Guidance on prosecuting cases of forced marriage and so-called 'honour-based' violence
This sets out the CPS' guidance on prosecuting cases of forced marriage and so-called 'honour-based' violence
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Forced marriage and 'honour-based' violence prosecution guidance
Guidance on prosecuting cases of female genital mutilation
This sets out the CPS' legal guidance in relation to cases of female genital mutilation
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: female genital mutilation prosecution guidance
Child sexual abuse
Guidance on prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse
This sets out the CPS' legal guidance in relation to cases involving child sexual abuse
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Child sexual abuse prosecution guidance
Guidance on prosecuting cases of prohibited images of children
This sets out the CPS' prosecution guidance in relation to cases of prohibited images of children
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Prohibited images of children prosecution guidance
Prostitution
Guidance on prosecuting cases of prostitution and exploitation of prostitution
The CPS focuses on the prosecution of those who force others into prostitution, exploit, abuse and harm them. Our joint approach with the police, with the support of other agencies, is to help those involved in prostitution to develop routes out.
The context is frequently one of abuse of power, used by those that incite and control prostitution - the majority of whom are men - to control the sellers of sex - the majority of whom are women. However, the CPS recognises that these offences can be targeted at anyone, regardless of gender.
The CPS charging practice is to tackle those who recruit others into prostitution for their own gain or someone else’s, by charging offences of causing, inciting or controlling prostitution for gain, or trafficking for sexual exploitation. In addition to attracting significant sentences, these offences also provide opportunities for seizure of assets through Proceeds of Crime Act orders and the application of Trafficking Prevention Orders.
For those offences which are summary only (loitering and soliciting, kerb crawling, paying for sexual services and advertising prostitution) the police retain the discretion not to arrest or report to the CPS those suspected of committing an offence, or they can charge the offence without reference to a prosecutor, regardless of whether the suspect intends to plead guilty or not guilty.
The prosecution guidance on prostitution and exploitation of prostitution sets out thoroughly the CPS policy in relation to these offences.
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Prostitution and exploitation of prostitution prosecution guidance
Human trafficking focusing on sexual exploitation
Policy for prosecuting cases of human trafficking
This sets out the CPS' policy in relation to cases of human trafficking.
Available as a PDF download from the publications section: Human trafficking prosecution policy (PDF)
Guidance on prosecuting cases of human trafficking
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Prosecution policy on human trafficking, smuggling and slavery
Pornography and obscenity
Guidance on Prosecuting Cases of Obscene Publications
This sets out the CPS' prosecution guidance in relation to cases involving Obscene Publications.
Available in the prosecution guidance section on this site: Obscene publications prosecution Guidance
Archived publications pre-2019, by strand
Violence against women and girls
2018
CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2017-2018
This is the eleventh Crown Prosecution Service Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report. It covers the following strands of Violence against Women and Girls: child abuse; domestic abuse; forced marriage; harassment; honour-based violence; human trafficking; pornography; prostitution; and rape and sexual offences. The report outlines our prosecution progress over the last decade and in 2017-18.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF/Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2017-2018 - English PDF (approx 4.2 mb)
- Adroddiad Trais yn erbyn Menywod a Merched 2017-2018 - dogfen PDF yn y Gymraeg (2.4 mb)
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2017-2018 - Statistics (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
- Underlying data relating to the eleventh CPS Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report 2017-2018
2017
CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2016-2017
This is the tenth Crown Prosecution Service Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report. It covers the following strands of Violence against Women and Girls: child abuse; domestic abuse; forced marriage; harassment; honour-based violence; human trafficking; pornography; prostitution; and rape and sexual offences. The report outlines our prosecution progress over the last decade and in 2016-17.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF/Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2016-2017 (revised) - English PDF (approx 3.6 mb)
- Adroddiad Trais yn erbyn Menywod a Merched 2016-2017 - dogfen PDF yn y Gymraeg (2.5mb)
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2016-2017 - Statistics (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
- Underlying data relating to the tenth CPS Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report 2016-2017
2016
CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2015-2016
This is the ninth Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report, and covers the following strands of Violence against Women and Girls for 2015-16: child abuse; domestic abuse; forced marriage; harassment; honour-based violence; human trafficking; pornography; prostitution; and rape and sexual offences.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF/Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2015-2016 - English PDF (approx 2.1 mb)
- Adroddiad Trais yn erbyn Menywod a Merched 2015-2016 - dogfen PDF yn y Gymraeg (3 mb)
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2015-2016 - Statistics (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
- Underlying data relating to the ninth CPS Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report 2015-2016
2015
CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2014-2015
This is the eighth Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report, and covers the following strands of Violence against Women and Girls for 2014-15: child abuse; domestic abuse; forced marriage; harassment; honour-based violence; human trafficking; pornography; prostitution; and rape and sexual offences.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF/Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2014-2015 - English PDF (amended September 2015) (approx 963kb)
- Gwasanaeth Erlyn y Goron Trais yn erbyn Adroddiad Menywod a Merched Trosedd 2014-2015 - dogfen PDF yn y Gymraeg
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2014-2015 - Statistics (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
- Underlying data relating to the eighth CPS Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report 2014-2015
CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2013-2014
This is the seventh Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report, and covers the following strands of Violence against Women and Girls for 2013-14: child abuse; domestic violence; forced marriage; harassment; honour-based violence; human trafficking; pornography; prostitution; and rape and sexual offences.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF/Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2013-2014 - English PDF
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2013-2014 - Welsh PDF
- CPS Violence against Women and Girls crime report 2013-2014 - Statistics (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
- Underlying data relating to the seventh CPS Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) annual report
Rape and sexual offences
2015
Report of the Independent Review into The Investigation and Prosecution of Rape in London by Rt Hon Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC
An independent review of how the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) investigate and prosecute rape cases has provided a timely, informative and candid overview of our joint-working practices; which will act as a framework for major changes in the future.
In June 2014 the Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, and Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders commissioned the right honourable Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC to conduct a victim-centred review of current protocols and procedures, and identify where improvements could be made.
This was as a result of a significant increase in the number of rape allegations made, either recent or non recent, in London in the year 2013 - 2014, following the high profile Operation Yewtree.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF (Published June 2015):
Independent Review into The Investigation and Prosecution of Rape in London - approx 1.8mb
Joint response from the Metropolitan Police Service and the CPS to the Independent Review - approx 630kb
Rape Action Plan
The Crown Prosecution Service and the Police have published a joint Rape Action Plan following a National Scrutiny Panel held to consider the falling levels of referrals of rape cases as well as wider issues related to their investigation and prosecution. This Action Plan marks an important step in further improving our response to rape cases and victims.
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF (first published June 2014; Updated in April 2015):
Rape Action Plan - approx 189kb
So-called ‘honour-based’ violence (including forced marriage and female genital mutilation)
2014
DPP action plan on female genital mutilation
Keir Starmer QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, published his action plan on improving prosecutions for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Available to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF: DPP action plan on female genital mutilation
NB: Publications prior to 2014 can be found in the National Archives' record of the CPS website
These include:
Violence Against Women and Girls:
- Previous VAWG Reports back to 2007-08
- A consultation on the CPS Violence against Women Strategy and Action Plans - summary of responses
- Previous Violence Against Women Strategy and Action Plans 2008-2011
- CPS Violence against Women Strategy 2008-11: An assessment of success
- Equality and Diversity Impact Assessment on the Violence against Women Strategy and Action Plan
- An Employees Guide on Violence Against Women
Domestic abuse:
- Specialist Domestic Violence Courts Resource Manual
- Specialist Domestic Violence Courts within each Local Criminal Justice Board area
- A Review of Specialist Domestic Violence Court systems (SDVCs)
- Evaluation of Domestic Violence Pilot Sites at Caerphilly (Gwent) and Croydon, 2004/05