Violence against women is a ‘national emergency’

In 2024, a report from police chiefs (National Police Chiefs’ Council) stated that violence against women is a national emergency in England and Wales. It revealed that around two million women a year are estimated to be victims of male violence. Most worryingly, the report admitted that this figure was an underestimate as most offences are not reported.

“Violence in the workplace, rape, violent assault, honour killings, forced pregnancy, women’s right to choose. … are all continuing to rise,” said Joanna Moorcroft, North West region (pictured above), bringing a motion to promote and protect women’s rights. “We cannot ignore domestic abuse, the trafficking of women and girls, the rise of misogyny and online abuse, the poisoning of young boys’ minds.”

The growing scale of abuse in all its forms, is a national disgrace,” said a delegate from Renfrew branch. “As a trade union with more than one million women members, UNISON is the largest women’s movement in the UK. We are well-placed to use our power to educate, empower and eradicate abuses of power.”

Ms Moorcroft continued by saying that all reps are aware of “horrific incidents” that our members have to deal with across the whole of our country and the whole of our union every day.

“School staff, council workers, social workers, as well as our blue light colleagues, including paramedics. These workers experience the devastation violence has on our communities. Sadly, as a trade union of over one million women, some of us here are victims too.”

Speaking on behalf of the national executive council, Manjula Quari, abandoned her speech to speak from the heart of her own experiences.

“Even if something happened to you way back in the past, it can still be triggered by a smell or a song and it can take you right back. You don’t get over it. You manage it.

“Sexual harassment and violence against women and girls are not exclusive at all. Sexual harassment leads to violence and abuse. We must demand action that will safeguard women and change lives for the better.”

Conference also expressed concern about the increased risks of violence against the most vulnerable women, including migrant workers and those with insecure immigration status.

A delegate from Wirral local government branch, said: “Too often, these women are forced to choose between abuse and deportation.”

Rob White, a health and safety officer for Salford branch said that many situations could be avoided if employers took the time to address convoluted and outdated health and safety work policies. “Employers also need to provide adequate site security and better safeguarding systems,” he added.

Several delegates expressed deep concern about the low number of prosecutions and the lack of convictions in cases involving violence against women and girls.

“Violence against women is endemic. I grew up in a family where there was domestic abuse and so I have an insight into the devastating impact of violence and how it affects you,” said  Karen Buckley, Greater Manchester branch.

“I was a social worker in the past and now I work as a therapist. I’ve worked with hundreds, maybe thousands, of women who are victims of domestic violence and out of those, I can only think of two who have secured a conviction. Very few report rape and with such low conviction rates, it means that rape has effectively been decriminalised. This is a really shocking and unacceptable situation.

“We need more and better support services with therapeutic help. In my own family, we all got help, including my kind and gentle mum. We all went on to have a better life and it’s what everyone deserves. Unprocessed trauma keeps people ashamed and unable to talk about what happened to them.”

Surrey Police branch added: “It can take up to two years to get to court and sometimes we  lose victims in the process. They have enough. It just takes too long to wait for the trial and they want to try and move on with their lives. Even if we do get to court, the courts often let us down. We need to put pressure on the government to make sure the court outcomes are appropriate.”

Conference called for a campaign to protect and extend women’s rights, including:

• effectively monitoring the prevalence and nature of domestic violence and sexual harassment including racialized forms of sexual harassment.
• demanding that employers prevent and respond to sexual harassment and victimisation at work, including in precarious job sectors.
• campaigning to reverse the effect of decriminalisation of rape and ensure access to justice for all sexual and domestic violence survivors campaign.
• ensuring migrant workers get access to welfare and legal systems so they can escape abuse and report violence without fear of immigration enforcement.

The article Violence against women is a ‘national emergency’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.