The grief is a constant companion, a quiet ache that can erupt into searing pain. Susan Everard, mother of Sarah, described a life forever altered, a joy diminished, and a rage against a loss that feels impossible to accept. Her words, shared with the Angiolini Inquiry, are a stark testament to the enduring devastation caused by violence against women.
The Angiolini Inquiry, launched in the wake of Sarah Everard’s horrific murder, has revealed a deeply troubling truth: fundamental questions about the scale of sexual violence remain unanswered. Inquiry chairwoman Lady Elish Angiolini exposed a “critical failure” in data collection, stating authorities cannot confidently state how many women are raped by strangers in public spaces each year.
This lack of knowledge isn’t merely an oversight; it cripples efforts to effectively prevent these crimes. Without accurate data, patterns of offending remain hidden, and resources are misallocated. The focus, Angiolini insisted, must shift from advising women to change their behavior to stopping the perpetrators themselves – yet information on offenders remains “limited and disjointed.”
The report paints a picture of an overburdened system, where police, prisons, and probation services are stretched too thin. Violence against women and girls has been officially recognized as a national threat, but concrete national action remains elusive, often relegated to empty promises. Securing funding for prevention schemes is hampered by the inability to demonstrate their success, a vicious cycle fueled by the data deficit.
Perhaps most shockingly, the inquiry found no automatic bar preventing individuals with convictions for sexual offenses from joining the police force. Lady Elish Angiolini demanded a clear, unwavering line: those with such convictions have no place in policing. This revelation underscores a systemic failure to protect the public and maintain trust in law enforcement.
The first phase of the Angiolini Inquiry previously revealed that Sarah Everard’s murderer, Wayne Couzens, should never have been employed as a police officer. Opportunities to identify and stop him were repeatedly missed, a chilling reminder that predatory individuals can operate undetected within the system. Without radical change, the inquiry warned, another Couzens could easily slip through the cracks.
Experts echo the urgency of the findings. Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women coalition, emphasized that the inquiry confirms what women have long known: the constant threat of male violence restricts their lives. She called for a shift in societal responsibility, moving away from placing the burden of safety on women themselves.
The response from authorities acknowledges the severity of the situation. The Home Secretary described the lack of safety felt by women as “utterly unacceptable” and pledged to carefully consider the inquiry’s recommendations. A new center, funded with £13.1 million, aims to strengthen the police response, alongside a commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
However, the work is far from over. Further reports are planned, examining the crimes of David Carrick – another Met officer unmasked as a serial rapist – and assessing the risk of similar failures occurring in the future. The Angiolini Inquiry is not just an investigation into past tragedies; it is a call for systemic change, a demand for accountability, and a desperate plea for a future where women can live without fear.
