For Rhianon, the promise of safety felt like a ticking clock. As a survivor of abuse, she lived with the chilling knowledge that the protective measures in place wouldn’t last forever – a terrifying countdown to the moment her abuser would be unrestricted, free to move without surveillance. She knew all victims deserved to live without fear, not just within the walls of their homes, but throughout their entire lives.
The current system, she realized, often prioritized the perceived rights of perpetrators over the fundamental need for victim safety. Electronic tagging, providing authorities with crucial location information, had been vital to her own security. But for others, like Roann Court, even knowing what her mother’s killer looked like was denied – a stark illustration of a system that seemed to protect the abuser’s privacy while leaving the survivor vulnerable.
Roann’s story is a haunting one. Just fifteen years old when she witnessed the murder of her mother, Claire Marshall, by her former partner, Benjamin Cooper, she was left grappling with unimaginable trauma. Upon Cooper’s release last year, Roann found herself trapped in a cycle of anxiety, constantly questioning the presence of a ghost she couldn’t even identify.
“He is basically allowed to get on with his life,” Roann confessed, her voice heavy with disbelief. “There is nothing stopping him from meeting someone new…getting a job…going on holiday.” While she has a family, she feels perpetually on edge, limiting her movements and compulsively checking in with loved ones, haunted by the question: “Could he be here?” A diagnosis of complex PTSD and hypervigilance only amplified the constant state of alert.
For too long, Diana Parkes, co-founder of The Joanna Simpson Foundation, observed, victims have shouldered the burden of self-preservation while perpetrators enjoyed unchecked freedom. New orders, however, promise to fundamentally shift this dynamic, establishing enforceable restriction zones that prioritize the safety of those harmed. This isn’t simply bureaucratic procedure; it’s a practical safeguard, a recognition of the long-lasting impact of abuse and the time required for genuine recovery.
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, also a co-founder of The Joanna Simpson Foundation, emphasized the critical need for comprehensive training for frontline officers. Trust and decisive action must greet every survivor who comes forward. The true measure of success, she asserted, will be consistent application of these powers, ensuring that promises translate into lasting security.
Plans are underway to introduce specialist rape and sex offences investigators into every police force by 2029, replacing a system where detectives lacking specialized knowledge often handled these sensitive cases. The goal is ambitious: to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, declaring these crimes no longer a regrettable fact of life, but a national emergency demanding immediate and effective intervention.
However, concerns linger. The lack of additional funding for these specialized units raises questions about their effectiveness. Furthermore, campaigners fear a postcode lottery of responses, with implementation varying significantly between police forces. Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, stressed the urgency of consistent, thorough investigations for all survivors, regardless of location.
While the introduction of specialist investigators is welcomed, the 2029 timeline feels distant to those working on the front lines. Survivors currently face unacceptable delays in the criminal justice system, and inconsistent responses only exacerbate their trauma. The call is clear: prioritize implementation now, without further delay, to ensure that justice and safety are not merely promises, but realities.
The Home Office is poised to release its long-awaited strategy on violence against women and girls, a plan that has faced criticism for its delayed publication. The delay has fueled anxieties within the sector, raising concerns that addressing violence against women and girls is not a true government priority. The stakes are high, and the need for decisive action is undeniable.
