Report Summary
A Public Briefing on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Published in February 2024.
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Police perpetrated VAWG
In November 2023 Police Scotland advised the Complaints & Conduct Committee that, at the time of reporting, there were 32 officers and six staff suspended in relation to sexual allegations. There were also three officers with duty restrictions relating to allegations with a sexual element. They also noted that in the previous 12 months, eight officers had resigned or retired while subject to suspension or restrictions related to sexual allegations. These cases are not currently split by gender.
In October 2021, Police Scotland commissioned a review of all complaints and conduct matters that contained sexual circumstances, sexual offending or misconduct by officers or staff between January 2017 and October 2021. The purpose was to ensure Police Scotland had discharged its responsibilities in relation to the management of risk relating to these cases, and where appropriate had fully investigated and progressed matters within relevant legislation, powers and regulations. A resulting high level report was presented to the Complaints & Conduct Committee in public session in May 2022, noting that no significant issues were identified with the quality of investigations, but making a number of recommendations to enhance organisational learning and development and raise awareness of standards of professional behaviour. Action taken as a result of these recommendations continues to be reported to Committee on a biannual basis.
There is no evidence available to suggest a specific reluctance of members of the public to report matters. However, in respect of confidence in reporting matters internally, the findings of the sexism and misogyny engagement survey reported to May 2023 People Committee suggested that much goes unchallenged/unreported, and identified a key area of focus being to provide safe spaces for reporting.
In England and Wales, an area of particular focus for the NPCC and College of Policing is ensuring an appropriate response to police-perpetrated abuse. Baseline data highlighted that between October 2021 and March 2022, 1,177 cases of police-perpetrated VAWG were recorded. In addition, 653 conduct cases against
672 individuals were recorded. Finally, there were 524 complaint cases against 867 individuals. Following this initial baseline, this data will now be published annually.
