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Citizens Advice response to CPS annual report on violence against women and girls

6 September 2016

The Crown Prosecution Service has today published its annual report on violence against women and girls. The report reveals that last year the number of offences against women, including domestic abuse, rape and sexual assaults, reached a record level, rising to 117,568 in 2015-6.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

"In homes up and down the country people are suffering all kinds of domestic abuse, often at the hands of a loved one.

"From physical abuse to controlling behaviour, restricting access to people's own money or using mind games to destroy a person's self-esteem - this all amounts to abuse. It is important victims are protected by making the perpetrator account for their crimes.

"It is good to see that there has been an increase in prosecutions as this helps to protect victims from their abuser. But it is important that more people are encouraged to report coercive control, prosecutions for which remain very low, and that family and friends are helped to spot the signs of abuse. 2 in 5 people don't know domestic abuse can have a financial side but the law now reflects that it is a crime.

"The police can also help victims by recognising the signs of abuse and offering victims the right support, including measures like Domestic Violence Protection Orders that can make it safer for victims to stay in their own home without their abuser."

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local Citizens Advice, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To get advice online or find your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers.
  5. Local Citizens Advice in England and Wales advised 2.5 million clients on 6.2 million problems in 2014/15. For full service statistics see our publication Advice trends.
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 2,500 service outlets across England and Wales.